At least 50 fire-related incidents were reported across Mumbai in the 60-hour period between Friday evening and Monday morning as the city celebrated Diwali, according to data from the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB).
The four-day Diwali period — marked by Dhanteras (Saturday) and Narak Chaturdashi (Sunday) — saw a sharp rise in fire calls, with one Level-II (medium) fire and two Level-I (minor) emergencies among them.
One teenager was killed and three others were injured during the incidents, officials confirmed.
🔥 Major Incidents Reported
Level-II Fire in Malad East
A Level-II blaze broke out in a commercial shed measuring 100×100 sq m at Pathanwadi, Malad East, around 12 p.m. on Saturday, the MFB said.
The fire raged for nearly 12 hours before being completely doused at 3:40 a.m. Sunday, officials confirmed.
No casualties were reported, though multiple fire tenders and water tankers were deployed in the operation.
Level-I Fire in Cuffe Parade
In a separate incident, a Level-I fire at Shiv Shakti Nagar in Cuffe Parade’s Macchimar Nagar early Monday morning killed 16-year-old Yash Khot and injured three others, including 13-year-old Viraj Khot.
“The fire was confined to household items on the first floor of a chawl. The victims were trapped before neighbours helped pull them out,”
said an MFB official.
The injured were rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
📈 50 Fires in 60 Hours: Fire Brigade on High Alert
An official from the Mumbai Fire Brigade Control Room told mid-day that nearly 50 small and medium fires were reported between Friday and Monday.
“While most incidents were local and extinguished before our arrival, we still responded to several Level-I calls and one Level-II case,”
the official said.
According to civic data, over 90% of fire-related calls in Mumbai occur in October and November, coinciding with Diwali celebrations and cooler, drier weather.
🧯 Understanding Fire Categories
The MFB classifies fires into five levels, escalating by intensity and resource requirement:
| Level | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | Minor | Small, localized fire; basic response |
| Level II | Medium | Requires multiple tenders and supervision |
| Level III | Major | Demands senior officers and extended response |
| Level IV | Serious | City-level emergency response |
| Level V (Brigade Call) | Critical | Highest-level emergency |
📊 Firecracker-Linked Fires on the Rise
Data shows a steady rise in firecracker-related emergencies post-pandemic:
| Year | Firecracker Fire Calls |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 140 |
| 2023 | 79 |
| 2022 (COVID) | 37 |
| 2021 (COVID) | 65 |
During Diwali 2024, the MFB responded to 140 cracker-related calls and over 280 total fire incidents during the festival season.
🧨 Causes: More Than Just Crackers
Officials said many Diwali fires are linked not only to firecrackers, but also to LPG cylinder blasts, diyas (oil lamps) left unattended, and electric short circuits.
“Household fires are common during this time. Even minor oversights, like a dupatta catching fire from a diya, can cause serious blazes,”
said a former senior MFB official, adding that public awareness remains insufficient despite annual safety drives.
In 2024, at least 32 burn injury cases were reported during the Diwali week.
⚠️ Officials Issue Fire Safety Advisory
Authorities urged residents to follow basic fire safety protocols during festive seasons:
- Keep buckets of water or sand handy while lighting diyas or crackers.
- Avoid using fireworks indoors or near LPG cylinders.
- Ensure electrical decorations are checked for faulty wiring.
- Install smoke alarms in older residential buildings.
“Open flames and crowded settings during Diwali increase fire risk. Basic precautions can prevent loss of life,”
said the MFB spokesperson.
📍 Mumbai Fire Summary: Diwali 2025
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Fire Calls | 50 (between Friday–Monday) |
| Serious Fires | 1 Level-II, 2 Level-I |
| Fatalities | 1 teen (Cuffe Parade) |
| Injuries | 3 |
| Hotspots | Malad, Cuffe Parade, Andheri, Borivli |
| Agencies | Mumbai Fire Brigade, BMC Disaster Cell |
