Satara recorded eight fire incidents during Narak Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja celebrations, with flames damaging trees at Ajinkyatara Fort and the Charbhinti area and affecting sugarcane and coconut trees elsewhere. Fire brigade personnel responded to all the reported incidents and brought the fires under control. No injuries were reported.
According to a report by Sakal – Pune, fires broke out during the morning of Narak Chaturdashi near the Manglai Devi area of Ajinkyatara Fort and around Charbhinti. The fires were attributed to firecrackers. Separate incidents were reported in agricultural fields in Karanje and Tamjai Nagar, where sugarcane crops caught fire.
The incidents caused damage to vegetation at the fort and Charbhinti locations, as well as to sugarcane fields. A coconut tree was also among the reported property and vegetation losses. The fire brigade sent personnel and vehicles to each location after receiving information about the incidents.
Further fires were reported at Ajinkyatara Fort and Charbhinti after Lakshmi Puja, when hundreds of young people gathered in the areas to watch firecrackers being set off in the city and to light firecrackers themselves. The fires at both locations were reported during the night.
Fire brigade officers and staff worked for approximately 30 to 45 minutes to bring the fires under control at the two locations, according to the report. The gatherings near the fort and Charbhinti brought people close to areas containing trees and other vegetation, increasing the need for caution while using aerial and other firecrackers. The supplied report does not state whether any arrests, penalties or restrictions followed the incidents.
Amit Nikam, Satara’s chief fire officer, advised residents to exercise caution while setting off aerial firecrackers. He said that residents should contact the fire brigade control room at 02162-231336 if a fire occurs in the city or surrounding areas. The control room number was issued as the immediate contact for fire emergencies.
