Pune Fire Brigade Diwali 2026: Helpline 101, Leave Cancelled, 43 Fires Last Year; Burn First Aid Explained

Pune, 5th November 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Fire Brigade has cancelled leave for its officers and staff for Diwali and is running fire tenders on patrol near firecracker stalls. If you see a fire, call 101 or the fire control room on 020-2645 1707.

Diwali fires in Pune have risen sharply over the past five years. The department recorded 43 Diwali-related fires in 2025, after a peak of 60 in 2024.

What are the Pune fire brigade and emergency numbers?

Save these before Lakshmi Pujan on Sunday, 8 November:

• Fire brigade: 101
• PMC fire control room: 020-2645 1707
• Pune Disaster Management Control Room: 020-2550 1269 and 020-2550 6800
• Police and all emergencies: 112
• Ambulance: 108

The fire brigade numbers and control room lines were listed in the PMC Fire Brigade’s Diwali advisory, as reported by Free Press Journal. 101 is India’s fire emergency number and works in Pimpri-Chinchwad too.

How many fires does Pune see during Diwali?

According to fire department data, Diwali-related fires in Pune have run as follows:

• 2021: 21
• 2022: 19
• 2023: 35
• 2024: 60
• 2025: 43

Most are small: a rocket landing on a balcony, burning garbage or a cracker igniting dry leaves or cloth. But the numbers show why the brigade puts every station on alert. Last year it had 23 fire stations on high alert under Chief Fire Officer Devendra Potphode, Pune Pulse reported.

What does the fire brigade want Punekars to do?

The PMC advisory asks residents to:

• Burst crackers only in open spaces, not in narrow lanes, peth wadas or crowded society parking
• Keep crackers away from curtains, dry plants, garbage heaps, gas cylinders and electrical boxes
• Keep a bucket of water and a blanket close by
• Make sure children are always supervised by an adult
• Wear cotton clothes, not nylon or loose synthetic ones, and never carry crackers in pockets
• Never hold a lit cracker, throw one at people or vehicles, or relight a dud
• Never burst crackers inside a box, tin or earthen pot

Diyas need the same care. Keep them away from curtains, rangoli powder piles and anything children or pets can knock over.

Pune Police rules also apply: noisy crackers are banned between 10 pm and 6 am, and all crackers within 100 metres of hospitals, schools and courts. Read our Pune firecracker rules for Diwali 2026.

What is the right first aid for a cracker burn?

The British Red Cross gives this sequence:

1. Cool the burn under cold running water for at least 20 minutes, starting at once.
2. Remove clothing or jewellery near the burn, but leave anything stuck to the skin.
3. After cooling, cover the burn loosely with cling film or a clean plastic bag.
4. Do not apply ice, butter, oil, cream or toothpaste. They do not cool the burn and make treatment harder.
5. Get medical help for any burn on a child, and for burns on the face, hands or genitals, or larger than the palm of the hand.

A common mistake in Indian homes is putting toothpaste, haldi or ghee on a burn. Plain running water is what helps.

This article is general safety information and is not medical advice. For serious burns, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.

What happens if a cracker stall is unsafe?

Licensed temporary cracker stalls must keep fire extinguishers and follow the conditions of their licence. Fireworks may not be burst within 50 metres of a licensed stall. If you see a stall storing crackers unsafely or someone bursting crackers next to one, call 112 or the fire control room.

Frequently asked questions