Delhi Fire Service Responds to Over 400,000 Emergency Calls in 15 Years: Rising Fatalities and Major Incidents

The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) has responded to more than 400,000 emergency calls over the past 15 years through 2024, with 6,611 fatalities recorded during this period from various incidents including fires, building collapses, and road accidents.

According to official data published on the DFS website, the department received its lowest number of emergency calls (18,143) in fiscal year 2011-12, while 2022-23 saw the highest volume at 31,958 calls.

Injury statistics reveal 2010-11 had the fewest reported injuries at 243, while 2023-24 witnessed the highest number with 3,232 people injured. Regarding fatalities, 2016-17 recorded the lowest death toll at 277, while 2023-24 saw a dramatic increase to 1,303 deaths, marking it as the deadliest fiscal year in the dataset.

A senior DFS official clarified to PTI that these statistics encompass all emergencies requiring fire service intervention, not just fire incidents. The data shows a concerning upward trend in fatalities beginning in 2020, with deaths increasing from 346 in 2020-21 to 591 in 2021-22 (a 70% increase), then jumping to 1,029 in 2022-23 (74% increase), and finally reaching 1,303 in 2023-24 (27% increase).

When questioned about this alarming trend, the official stated there was no specific explanation for the surge in incidents after 2021-22, noting that "these incidents occur unexpectedly and are beyond our control."

Delhi has experienced several catastrophic fires in recent years. Officials attribute these incidents to illegal operations and disregard for safety regulations. In February 2023, a devastating fire at an Alipur paint factory claimed 11 lives after an explosion spread flames to nearby buildings, including a rehabilitation center.

On May 13, 2022, at least 27 people perished in a massive blaze that engulfed a four-story commercial building with basement in west Delhi's Mundka area. This incident evoked memories of the 2019 Anaj Mandi fire that killed 44 people, making it Delhi's deadliest fire since the 1997 Uphaar Cinema tragedy that claimed 59 lives.

In February 2019, a hotel fire in central Delhi's Karol Bagh killed 17 guests, including two who jumped from the building attempting to escape. The previous year, a fire at a Bawana firecracker storage facility resulted in 17 fatalities, including 10 women.

The 15-year data reveals 216 'medium' and 37 'serious' fire incidents between 2009-10 and 2023-24. The lowest number of 'medium' fires (7) occurred in 2014-15, while 2018-19 recorded the highest (27). 'Serious' incidents were absent entirely in 2015-16 and peaked at 6 in 2016-17.

Explaining the fire classification system, a senior official detailed that incidents are categorized based on response requirements. Initial responses that exceed local station capabilities are classified as 'Make-4' level. If additional resources are needed, the response escalates to 'Make-6,' then to 'medium' fires requiring 20-25 fire tenders. Uncontrolled fires become 'serious' incidents necessitating 30-35 tenders. The most severe classification is 'major' fires, requiring 35 or more tenders.

The official noted that major fires are extremely rare, recalling only two such incidents in his 33-year career: the 1995 Jwalapuri blaze that destroyed an old plastic scrap market, and a 2002 Okhla Phase-II chemical factory fire that spread to nearby slums and required over 120 firefighters to control.

According to the DFS website, the department currently operates 66 fire stations across Delhi with a fleet of 245 firefighting vehicles and support units. The official emphasized that the department maintains round-the-clock readiness to respond to emergencies throughout the national capital.