Mumbai Bans Flying Fireworks After Deadly Holiday Blazes And Over 135 Incidents

Mumbai has banned aerial firecrackers across all public and private spaces until November 25 following a surge in festival fires and six tragic deaths in another part of Maharashtra. The Mumbai Disaster Management Authority issued the ban after emergency services handled nearly 140 festival-related fire calls on Sunday night alone.

The Tragic Incident And City Fires

In Dharashiv district, a family of six died from suffocation when a fire swept through their single-storey home and shop shortly after midnight. Police stated that early reports point to a small clay oil lamp as the possible cause, while plastic goods and stored oil helped the flames spread rapidly. Meanwhile, Mumbai experienced three major Level-II fires on festival night. Firefighters spent over nine hours putting out a severe blaze in Dongri that destroyed shops, huts, electrical lines, gas cylinders, and chemical drums. Other crews battled lengthy overnight fires at an Andheri garage and a commercial building in Vidyavihar.

Official Response And Restrictions

Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation shows the city fire brigade received 142 calls on Sunday, with 137 linked directly to fireworks. This single-day total surpassed previous festival records of 80 incidents in 2024 and 113 in 2025. The new municipal order prohibits rockets and flying fireworks in all areas, including terraces, balconies, and slums, because stray projectiles create serious hazards in crowded neighborhoods. Mayor Ritu Tawde released a video appeal asking residents to prioritize safety during celebrations.

Context

Festive periods frequently strain urban emergency services because dense housing layouts and heavy use of combustible materials allow accidental sparks to turn into major disasters quickly. Local authorities routinely implement temporary bans and safety restrictions when incident numbers spike during peak holiday seasons. Crowded urban centers face heightened risks due to narrow lanes, overhead wiring, and limited access for fire engines during emergencies.