MUMBAI : Despite widespread safety campaigns, the first two days of Diwali witnessed a significant surge in fire-related emergencies across Mumbai and the neighboring Thane district. Back-to-back distress calls were triggered primarily by firecrackers and unattended diyas. Over a 48-hour period, exactly 89 fire incidents occurred across the city. Of these emergencies, at least 28 were directly linked to firecrackers. A similar trend was observed in Thane, which saw multiple major blazes, including severe fires in high-rise residential societies in Wagle Estate and Kasarvadavali.

While rapid firefighting responses prevented further escalation in many areas, the weekend was not without tragedy. One fatality occurred in Andheri West, where a 56-year-old security guard died of suffocation after becoming trapped in a lift during a fire on the 17th floor of a high-rise, suspected to have been caused by an unattended diya. At least four other injuries took place across the region, including residents who suffered burns and severe smoke inhalation requiring hospital admission. Extensive property damage was recorded across both cities. Fires engulfed scrap shops, commercial corridors, and residential apartments. In several high-rises, entrance doors, household items, and internal electrical wiring were completely gutted by stray rockets and indoor fires.

Prompt reporting of fires and quick evacuations—such as the successful rescue of around 50 residents from a single building in Thane—played a crucial role in saving lives. However, the blatant flouting of safety norms in congested residential areas remains a major concern. With the festival continuing, fresh safety advisories urge citizens to burst crackers only in designated open spaces, keep buckets of water or sand nearby, and ensure that unattended diyas are extinguished before leaving the house to prevent further mishaps.

A massive fire broke out at Haji Kasam Chawl on Dr Maheshwari Road in Mumbai’s Dongri area on Sunday night, triggering panic among residents and prompting a major emergency response.

According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade, the fire was initially reported at a garage near Datta Mandir. The incident was classified as a Level-I fire call at 9:58 pm and subsequently escalated to Level-II at 10:10 pm.

Multiple emergency teams, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, BEST personnel, ward staff and 108 ambulance services, were rushed to the spot.

The blaze spread to several adjoining shops and hutments, causing extensive damage. Firefighting and rescue operations were launched to bring the situation under control.

No injuries or casualties were reported in the latest available update. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

New Delhi : A 10-year-old boy died after a firecracker exploded in his hand while he was bursting it outside his house in Delhi’s Narela area, police said. The incident took place on Sunday night, November 8, during Diwali celebrations leaving the child with fatal injuries. According to Delhi Police, the child was bursting a flower-pot firecracker, commonly known as an ‘Anar’, in front of his house at around 9:45 p.m. when it suddenly exploded, causing injuries to his chest. In an official statement, police said, “On 08/11/2026 at about 09:45 p.m., a child was bursting a hand-held flower-pot firecracker (Anar) in front of his house in Narela area. The firecracker burst, causing injury to his chest. The child died on the spot.”

Police further said that information was received from the hospital at approximately 10:50 p.m. that the child had been brought dead with burn injuries caused by the firecracker. The child’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination, while further legal proceedings are underway. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and examining the details of the firecracker explosion. The tragic incident has once again brought attention to the risks associated with firecrackers, particularly for children, and the importance of exercising caution while handling such explosive items. Meanwhile, several fire incidents were reported in different parts of the national Capital, including Uttam Nagar and Malviya Nagar, prompting the deployment of multiple fire tenders. No casualties or injuries were reported in either of these incidents.

In one of the major incidents, a massive fire broke out at a hardware and paint store on Main Najafgarh Road in Uttam Nagar late Saturday evening. The blaze reportedly spread from the ground floor to the upper floors of a three-storey building, raising concerns about the possibility of the fire spreading further. Around five fire tenders were rushed to the location to contain the flames. Firefighters worked to bring the situation under control. In another incident, a fire broke out in the basement of a building in the Khidki area of Malviya Nagar. Following the incident, eight fire tenders were deployed to the spot to tackle the blaze.