Gujarat Logs 366 Diwali Fires, Up From Daily Average of 55: 108 EMS Data

Ahmedabad: Gujarat reported 366 fire-related incidents on Diwali, with Surat, Ahmedabad and Rajkot cities alone accounting for 182 cases, those operating the 108 emergency medical services (EMS) said on Monday.

State minister Jitu Vaghani was among those who reported about fire incidents, officials said.

As per data collected from calls made to the 108 EMS, fire-related incidents surged to 366 on Diwali, compared to 55 on normal days, a rise of over 565 percent. A total of 62 burn cases were reported across the state, as per this data.

Bhavnagar Chief Fire Officer Pradyumansinh Jadeja said agriculture minister Vaghani called him at 9:22 pm on Sunday after noticing a fire on the 9th floor of his residential society.

"A fire incident was reported in Vaghani's society. The minister called me directly for help. We reached the spot and so did Jitubhai. The fire was caused by a short circuit. It was controlled without any report of injuries," the CFO said.

A fire was also reported in a locked flat on the 12th floor of Riverview Heights in Mota Varachha area. State Education Minister Praful Pansheriya resides on the first floor of the building.

Fire rescue teams evacuated eight persons, including a 100-year old woman and children, using a hydraulic platform there, officials said.

Out of 62 burn cases, Ahmedabad and Surat reported 13 and 12, respectively, on Diwali, the 108 ambulance service said.

Overall emergency cases also surged 56 percent to 5,651, compared to 3,610 on normal days, as per 108 ambulance service data.