The highest number of emergency calls were received during the evening and night, at the peak of the Diwali celebrations. (Img: Pinterest)
New Delhi: The highest number of emergency calls were received during the evening and night, coinciding with the peak of the Diwali celebrations.
The department received 85 calls between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, followed by another 61 calls between 10:00 PM and midnight. Combined, these two time intervals accounted for a total of 146 emergency calls.
During the reported period, the department received a total of 257 emergency calls with the highest number of calls recorded during the late evening hours. Between 12:00 AM and 7:00 AM, 16 calls were received, followed by 36 calls between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM. From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the department attended to 14 calls, while 13 calls were reported between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The number increased to 32 calls between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. A significant rise was observed during the night, with 85 calls received between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, followed by another 61 calls between 10:00 PM and midnight. Together, these two late-night intervals accounted for 146 emergency calls, representing more than half of the total calls received. This distribution highlights the increased demand for fire department services during nighttime hours and reflects the importance of maintaining readiness and ensuring a prompt response to emergencies throughout the day and night.
On the day , around 83.3 percent of the total calls received by the fire department were related to emergencies.
The Fire Department responded to a total of 257 calls . Moreover , it was covering a wide range of incidents that required immediate attention and assistance. Of these, 214 calls were related to fire incidents, making them the largest category. Among the fire related cases, 40 involved fires in garbage or waste materials, while 24 were caused by firecrackers.
Also Read: Kerala Begins E20 Petrol Checks After Karnataka Flags Excess Ethanol
Apart from firefighting operations, the department also carried out 17 animal rescue operations, 7 bird rescues and 5 human rescue operations. Additionally, 9 calls were related to special services, while 3 involved standby duties. The department also responded to one house collapse incident and one road accident. These figures highlight the varied responsibilities of the Fire Department, which go beyond controlling fires and include rescuing people and animals, assisting during accidents and providing support in other emergency situations.
The Delhi Fire Department reported seven major fire incidents at different locations across the city, highlighting the range of emergencies its teams had to deal with. These included a medium category fire at two adjoining factories on Shamshan Ghat Wali Road in Nangli Sakrawati and a major fire at a factory in C-665, Narela Industrial Area. Other incidents involved a fire at an NDMC godown located beneath Safdarjung Flyover, near Safdarjung Airport, and another at a banquet hall in Pooth Kalan Khurd. The department also responded to a residential fire at Saraswati Apartment in IP Extension, Madhu Vihar, a factory fire near New Krishna School in Prakash Vihar, Karawal Nagar, and a shop fire at Chhota Bazar in Shahdara's Main Market. These incidents required the fire department's prompt intervention and highlighted the importance of quick emergency response in protecting lives, property and surrounding areas.
Five firefighters sustained injuries while responding to fire-related emergencies across the city . According to a departmental report, the injuries include burns, a fractured hand, cuts from broken glass, and various injuries to the legs and knees. One firefighter, who suffered burns, has been advised to take seven days of medical leave.
The report mentions one death and six other incidents during Diwali, in which no further lives were lost.
Also Read: Assembly Elections 2027: EC Likely to Announce Poll Dates for Five States in January
The number of fire-related incidents in Delhi was lower compared to the previous two years.
According to the Delhi Fire Department's annual records, a total of 257 emergency calls were received in 2026, showing a slight decline compared to 269 calls in 2025 and 318 calls in 2024. Looking at the figures from previous years, the department recorded 208 calls in 2023, 201 in 2022 and 152 in 2021. The number increased to 205 calls in 2020 and further rose to 245 calls in 2019. These figures reflect fluctuations in the number of emergencies reported over the years, with 2024 recording the highest number of calls in the period from 2019 to 2026, while 2021 witnessed the lowest. Overall, the annual data provides an insight into changing emergency response demands and the continuous role of the Delhi Fire Department in assisting people during critical situations.
However, a comparison by the department for the 12-hour period from 6 PM on Diwali evening to 6 AM the following morning revealed that there were 281 calls this year, compared to 283 calls during the same period last year.
Despite a significant increase in emergency calls during the evening and night hours, the Delhi Fire Service stated that they had deployed additional resources and made adequate arrangements to ensure a prompt response to emergency situations in the national capital.
