With each passing year, fire incidents in Delhi continue to be a pressing issue. However, according to Delhi Fire Services (DFS) estimates, there has been a considerable decline in cases this year. Despite this, a significant number of emergency calls continue to originate from residential fires.
To put matters into perspective, DFS data reveals that from January 1 to March 12, 2025, a total of 738 residential fire-related calls were recorded. In contrast, the national capital registered 5,552 incidents during the same period in 2024, a sharp rise from 4,499 in the corresponding period of 2023 and 4,176 calls in the first quarter of 2022. The data highlights an 18.9% increase in fire incidents from 2023 to 2024, while a similar pattern was observed between 2022 and 2023, with a 7.1% rise.
According to a senior DFS officer, the department received fewer calls this year compared to the previous year, but the difference was marginal. “The department received 938 calls in January, in which six people lost their lives. In February, we handled 1,076 calls, with two fatalities. By March 11, we had received 455 calls, in which four people lost their lives,” he said.
Fire-related deaths show a sharp decline
Delhi has seen a significant reduction in fire-related fatalities in the early months of 2025, with DFS reporting a 67.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Between January 1 and March 11, 2025, fire incidents claimed 12 lives, a stark contrast to the 37 deaths recorded during the same timeframe last year.
However, the city was recently reminded of the persistent threat posed by fire hazards. On March 11, a devastating blaze engulfed a makeshift tent near AGCR Enclave in Anand Vihar, East Delhi, claiming the lives of three men, including two brothers. The three labourers tragically lost their lives while attempting to save the company’s ‘expensive’ machinery.
A look at last year’s data
DFS data from 2024 shows that in January, 1,204 fire-related calls resulted in 15 deaths. In February, 992 calls were logged, leading to 16 fatalities, while an additional six deaths were reported from March 1 to March 11, bringing the total to 37 for that period.
A total of 116 people lost their lives in various fire-related incidents in 2024. The monthly breakdown is as follows: 16 fatalities in January, 16 in February, 12 in March, four in April, seven in May, 29 in June, one in July, five in August, three in September, eight in October, 11 in November, and four in December.
Recent major fire incidents
In the early hours of March 18, a massive fire broke out in the Dwarka Mor area of South West Delhi, engulfing around 30 shanties and two factories. The fire spread rapidly through the densely packed slum cluster, prompting swift action from DFS. Although extensive property damage was reported, no casualties occurred.
A few days earlier, on March 13, 2025, a fire erupted in a godown near Balaji Dharam Kanta in Okhla Phase 1. Twenty-four fire tenders were deployed to the scene, successfully bringing the blaze under control without any casualties.
On the same day, a fire broke out in the kitchen of a restaurant in Connaught Place due to an LPG cylinder leakage. Six fire tenders were dispatched, managing to extinguish the flames. However, six people sustained burn injuries and were promptly treated by DFS emergency units.
Soaring summer temperatures and fire incidents
Atul Garg, Director of Delhi Fire Services, attributed the sharp rise in fire incidents in 2024 to record-breaking summer temperatures. “This summer brought the highest volume of emergency calls we’ve ever seen, fuelled by extreme heat. It was the hottest summer in recent years,” he remarked.
The data supports this claim—May and June 2024 saw the highest number of emergency calls in five years, with 5,218 and 4,258 calls, respectively. By comparison, May and June 2023 recorded 2,935 and 2,571 calls, while 2022 saw 3,362 and 3,186.
According to Garg, the relentless heat placed immense strain on electrical systems. “The high temperatures caused wires and appliances to overheat and fail. With air conditioners running nonstop, power generators were pushed beyond capacity, triggering frequent short circuits,” he explained. This combination turned household equipment into fire hazards.
Festive seasons and fire risks
Seasonal factors also played a role in the surge of fire incidents. In October 2024, DFS recorded 3,302 fire-related calls—a 23.1% increase from the 2,539 calls in October 2023. Garg attributed many of these cases to garbage fires and Diwali festivities.
Also Read: Delhi Fire Services recorded 11% more distress calls this year
During October and November 2024, fire-related calls surged by 38% compared to the same period in 2023. The Diwali season was particularly taxing, with DFS recording a 53% rise in fire emergencies over 2023—the highest since 2012. During this period, DFS handled 280 fire-related calls, alongside eight animal rescues, six bird rescues, nine miscellaneous emergencies, nine special tasks such as road accidents, and seven standby assistance requests. “These figures shattered all past records,” Garg noted. “Firecrackers and earthen lamps were the primary causes of these blazes.”
Looking ahead: A cautious optimism
While the current trend suggests that the national capital may see a reduction in fire incidents this year, DFS officials remain cautious. The challenges of 2024 stretched their resources to the limit, and they warn that despite the decline in cases, the risk remains ever-present.
