Drastic increase in fire accidents in Tamil Nadu

The figure is nine times higher than the mere 84 fire incidents that were reported last year during Deepavali. The number of fire accidents was 911 in 2012. In the last five years, the least number of fire accidents was recorded in 2014 and the number stood at 62. 

The delayed monsoon is claimed to be the reason behind the drastic increase in accidents this year. According to a senior official, the monsoon rains that usually begin a day or two ahead of Deepavali used to dampen thatched huts and the flora resulting in lesser number of accidents. 

Only a handful of major fires were reported this year that caused damage to property worth a few lakh rupees. While 30 people were injured this year, no one was killed due to cracker-related accidents, a senior department official said. 

Colourful rockets continue to be the most dangerous as they caused 446 accidents on Friday and Saturday. Sixty-seven fire accidents caused by rockets were reported on Friday. This figure climbed to 379 on Saturday.