Diwali 2018: Firecrackers trigger accidents across country; major fire at Surat oil depot

In Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun, a firecrackers shop caught fire all of a sudden in the evening and within seconds the fire spread to five adjacent shops.

New Delhi: As people across the country opted for fireworks to celebrate Diwali, places in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and others witnessed serious fire-related accidents on the eve of the festival. In Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun, a firecrackers shop caught fire all of a sudden in the evening and within seconds the fire spread to five adjacent shops. It also engulfed 3 bikes and a scooter standing in proximity to the shop. The accident caused a stampede-like situation as shopkeepers and customers tried to escape the place. As per reports, the shopkeepers of the area informed fire brigade about the situation, but since the fire truck did not have water, the fire could not be doused immediately.  Police on reaching the spot took charge of the situation and managed for fire vehicles to control the fire. In Gujarat’s Surat, an oil depot caught fire last night in Udhna’s Kharwar Nagar area. Six fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire is suspected to have been triggered by Diwali fireworks. In Lucknow’s Rajendranagar too, fire crackers led to a massive fire in an illegal candle factory which also spread to a nearby three-storey building. In Delhi NCR’s Greater Noida, a huge fire broke out in a bamboo godown, leading to a rush in the area. Fire was controlled after three hours of struggle. Goods worth lakhs were burnt in the accident which was triggered by a firecracker. As many as 209 calls were received by the Delhi Fire Services on Diwali, including one related to a huge fire in a factory at Bawana, officials said. The officials said the number of calls related to firecrackers was comparatively low, but there was no decline in the number of calls related to fire incidents, news agency PTI reported.