PUDUCHERRY: Fire accidents reported across Puducherry during Deepavali celebrations have caused property damage estimated at Rs 8.71 lakh, according to official sources from the fire and rescue services. Timely intervention by fire service personnel helped save properties worth Rs 37.44 lakh, assistant divisional fire officer A Suresh said.
On Monday, eight fire incidents were reported across the union territory — seven in Puducherry region and one in Yanam. No fire-related incidents were reported from Karaikal and Mahe regions, according to fire services department.
The major fire accident occurred around 9 pm at a car accessories shop on 100 Feet Road in Natesan Nagar. The fire, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, engulfed the commercial establishment valued at Rs 20 lakh. Firefighters managed to control the blaze and prevent major destruction, but property worth Rs 8 lakh was damaged, while Rs 12 lakh worth of assets were saved, sources said.
In another incident, a residential building at Moolakulam suffered damages worth Rs 50,000 due to suspected excessive heat from a chimney in the two-storey structure. Fire service personnel prevented further loss and saved property valued at Rs 24.50 lakh.
Three thatched huts were damaged in separate fire incidents, suspected to have been caused by stray crackers, at Jayamoorthy Nagar Extension, Vazhudavur Road near Rani Hospital, and Yanam. Another minor fire incident was reported at Nehru Street, where a vendor’s goods were partially damaged. In Amizhthini street, Velrampet, a temporary shed set up to store building materials at an under-construction house caught fire when children in the area burst crackers on Monday afternoon.
50 suffer minor firecracker injuries
Though no major injuries were reported, around 50 people suffered minor burn injuries due to mishandling of firecrackers. According to hospital sources, most victims were aged between 12 and 20 years and were treated as outpatients at the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital, and Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, among other hospitals.
Negligence and failure to follow safety guidelines were the main reasons behind the injuries despite awareness campaigns. The fire and health departments had jointly conducted a safety drive on the eve of Deepavali to educate the public about safe firecracker handling, authorities said.
Though the revenue department, in partnership with private organisations, had distributed over 20,000 free protective eyewear across Puducherry, to protect children from eye injuries, the precautionary efforts did not fully prevent firecracker-related mishaps.
