Telangana Fire dept gears up for Diwali

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Department is geared up to meet Diwali-related emergency calls and has put its entire staff on alert across the State. According to officials, there would be distress calls from various places including residential areas, commercial establishments and companies given negligence while burning of crackers, lighting of lamps […]

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Department is geared up to meet Diwali-related emergency calls and has put its entire staff on alert across the State.

According to officials, there would be distress calls from various places including residential areas, commercial establishments and companies given negligence while burning of crackers, lighting of lamps or candles and due to short circuits. A detailed action plan was drawn out and circulated to all fire stations, they said.

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“Local officials have identified markets and firecracker shop clusters as high-risk zones. A fire tender is kept ready there to immediately take up operations in case of any eventuality,” Regional Fire Officer V Papaiah said, adding that spots including NTR stadium, Numaish Grounds and the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad were identified as high-risk zones. A few colonies and industrial clusters where previously fire mishaps were reported were also identified and smaller vehicles or motorcycles were being deployed there.

The department too was being reinforced with additional staff. “Leaves of all officers working at the Fire Control Room have been cancelled and all will handle distress calls,” Papaiah said.

There is a surge in complaints of fire mishaps usually between 6 pm and past midnight during the three days of Diwali when people decorate shops using serial bulbs, heavy fancy lighting or light firecrackers.

“Establishments, where combustible material is stored in large quantity, are more prone to fire mishaps. Precautions have to be taken by the managements on fire safety,” District Fire Officer (Hyderabad) M Srinivasa Reddy said. TSPDCL and HMWS&SB officials had met with Fire officials to chalk out an action plan in case of major mishaps.

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