Pune: The city fire brigade recorded 94 fire-related emergency calls between Sunday night and Monday while Pimpri Chinchwad fire brigade received 76 emergency calls on Sunday. This marked the highest number of such calls on Lakshmi puja day since 2021. While no injuries or casualties were reported, officials said most of the fires were caused by firecrackers or diyas. Around 80% of the calls were received between 8pm and 10pm on Sunday.Of the 94, three major fires included one at a plastic godown in Mangalwar Peth. Seven fire tenders were deployed to douse the blaze.The second one was reported after fire broke out at a flex and banner printing unit on Satara Road. Eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. Officials suspect that a firecracker may have landed inside the unit, triggering the fire.A fire also broke out in a flat in the Range Hill area. However, the residents managed to evacuate before the flames engulfed the furniture in the house.Pune fire brigade chief Ganesh Sonune and his team visited and monitored several locations across the city.Meanwhile in Pimpri Chinchwad, the fire brigade remained on alert throughout the day to respond to emergencies. “This was probably a record for such a high number of fire incidents in a single day. Last year, 20 fire incidents were reported on Lakshmi Pujan,” said Vyankatesh Durvas, Pimpri Chinchwad fire brigade head.Durvas said the department had made extensive preparations to deal with fire incidents during Diwali. Apart from its 10 regular fire stations, the department deployed fire engines with adequate personnel at 12 sensitive and crowded locations.“As many as 42 vehicles and 250 fire personnel and staff members were kept ready round-the-clock to reach the spots immediately,” he said.He said 76 fire incidents were reported between 5pm on Sunday and the early hours of Monday. “The highest number, 50, involved fires in open fields, dry grass, garbage and trees. Fires were reported in flats, houses and shops at 20 spots, while vehicles, banners and towers were damaged at six spots,” he said.
