April & May the most fire-prone months in city: Study

Nagpur: April and May, when the city’s temperature usually hovers between 42 and 46 degrees Celsius, are more vulnerable to fire incidents. A study conducted by Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s fire and emergency services department revealed that in April and May in the last four financial years, the department had received over 750 fire calls each.
As per the study, the safest months — having less fire incidents — were from July, August to September when the city usually receives good rainfall.
During these three months, the department had attended 130, 130 and 115 calls, respectively, in the last four years, the study stated. “The calls are lesser during these months because of monsoon season,” said chief fire officer Rajendra Uchake.
He further explained fire calls are more in April and May as summer is at its peak during these two months. Due to increased usage of air-coolers and air conditioners, electric load increases manifold, leading to the possibility of short-circuit, he added.
According to him, the majority of cases attended to by fire personnel are due to electric short-circuit, whether the fire is in residential buildings, industrial or commercial establishments. With high temperature and more electricity being drawn, substandard quality wires start burning, causing short-circuit, he said. On an average, 180-190 fire calls are being attended during these two months.
In the last four years, April has seen 772 fire mishaps on an average, while May has recorded 752.
With 826 fire calls, East Nagpur (under Lakadganj zone) is the most fire-prone zone in the city.
Even West Nagpur, which is being managed by Civil Lines fire station, too had reported as many 650 fire calls from 2018-19 to 2021-22, the study reveals. In the last four fiscal years, the city had witnessed total 4,222 fire calls.
North Nagpur, which is being covered by Sugat Nagar fire station, too can be counted under fire-prone areas. The fire station here had attended 619 fire calls during the period under consideration.
About more fire incidents happening in East Nagpur, the CFO clarified that apart from the presence of a large number of godowns, sawmills in the area, fire mishaps quite often occurred in Bhandewadi dumping yard.
The study also shows that the number of fire incidents in West Nagpur too is very high as the area-wise jurisdiction of Civil Lines, which comprises Zingabai Takli, Gorewada, Ambazari among others, is huge.

Fire calls---Stations
650---Civil Lines
825---Lakadganj
386---Ganjipeth
443---Narendra Nagar
118---Cotton Market
593---Kalamna
142---Trimurti Nagar
619---Sugat Nagar
445---Sakkardara
(Fire calls from 2018-19 to 2021-22)
Months----Fire Calls
April---- 772
May----752
June----349
July----130
Aug----130
Sept----115
Oct----208
Nov----284
Dec----264
Jan----312
Feb----386
March----519
(Fire calls in four years)