Delhi Fire Services recorded 11% more distress calls this year

The national capital has seen an alarming surge in fire incidents in 2024, with emergency fire calls to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) increasing by over 11.1%. According to official data, this marks a sharp rise in incidents across Delhi, with flames affecting residential, commercial, and public spaces.

To provide context, the number of calls received by the DFS this year highlights a significant increase when compared to 2023 and 2022. As of December 18, a total of 35,331 calls had been recorded. This is a notable jump from the 31,399 calls received in 2023 and 31,031 in 2022. While the rise from 2022 to 2023 was modest at 1.1%, the sharp escalation from 2023 to 2024 has been attributed to unprecedented maximum temperatures coupled with harrowing pollution levels.

A month-by-month breakdown

In December 2024, the DFS has already received 1,610 calls. By comparison, December 2023 saw a total of 2,365 calls. The data indicates a steady and concerning trend of increased fire incidents across the city throughout the year.

The rise has been linked to severe pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching hazardous levels of over 1,200 at certain times. This extreme pollution has not only impacted air quality but has also contributed to an increased number of fire-related emergencies in the city.

Why the sudden rise

Atul Garg, Director of the DFS, attributed the surge in fire incidents primarily to record-breaking summer temperatures. “We observed the highest number of emergency calls this summer, with the mercury reaching unprecedented levels. This was the hottest summer we’ve seen in the past couple of years,” he said.

May and June were particularly challenging months for the DFS. The department received 5,218 calls in May and 4,258 in June, marking the highest numbers in the last five years. For context, May and June 2023 recorded 2,935 and 2,571 calls, respectively, while 2022 saw slightly higher figures at 3,362 and 3,186 calls. The sharp increase this year underscores the impact of extreme heat on fire-related emergencies.

How the heat wave had an effect

Garg elaborated on how heatwave conditions exacerbated the problem. “The extreme temperatures placed immense stress on electrical systems, causing wires and appliances to overheat and, in many cases, fail. This, combined with the widespread use of air conditioners, overloaded power generators and led to frequent short circuits,” he explained.

The data also points to seasonal variations. For instance, October 2024 saw 3,302 calls—a 23.1% increase compared to 2,539 in October 2023. Garg noted that many of these incidents were linked to heightened garbage fires and Diwali celebrations. Fire emergency calls in October and November rose by 38% compared to the same period last year.

The Diwali surge

The Diwali season presented its own challenges, with the DFS recording a 53% increase in fire and emergency calls compared to 2023. This marked the highest number of calls during Diwali since 2012.

Also Read: Delhi Fire Services got over 11,000 calls since April: Data

According to DFS data, there were 280 fire-related calls during the festive season, along with eight calls for animal rescues, six for bird rescues, nine for other emergencies, and nine for special jobs, including road accidents and non-fire-related incidents. Additionally, the DFS received seven calls for standby assistance.

“These numbers broke all previous records,” said Garg. “Most of these fires were caused by firecrackers or earthen lamps.”