Mumbai Records 333 Firecracker-Related Fires in Five Days; Two Dead, Eight Injured Despite Ban on Aerial Firecrackers

Mumbai, 12th November 2026: Mumbai witnessed a sharp rise in fire incidents during the Diwali celebrations, with firecrackers accounting for 333 out of 499 fire incidents reported across the city between November 6 and 10. The incidents claimed two lives and left eight people injured, raising serious concerns over fire safety and the enforcement of restrictions on firecrackers.

According to reports, November 9 recorded the highest number of fire incidents, with 166 cases reported in a single day. Of these, 144 were reportedly linked to firecrackers. On November 8, Mumbai recorded 142 fire incidents, including 137 caused by firecrackers.

On November 10, another 102 fire incidents were reported, of which 24 were attributed to firecrackers.

The western suburbs, particularly the stretch between Goregaon and Dahisar, also witnessed several incidents. In Zone 4, which covers parts of the western suburbs, 96 fire incidents were reported within 48 hours. These incidents resulted in one death and two injuries.

16-Year-Old Dies in Malad-Malvani Firecracker Explosion

In a tragic incident in Malad-Malvani, 16-year-old Shahnawaz Niyaz Khan lost his life after a portion of a shop’s slab collapsed following a firecracker explosion. The incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with the use of powerful firecrackers in residential and commercial areas.

BMC’s Ban on Rockets and Aerial Firecrackers Raises Questions

Amid the increasing number of fire incidents, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) imposed a ban on rockets and aerial firecrackers across Mumbai from November 9 to November 25.

However, despite the restrictions, residents have reportedly continued bursting rockets and large aerial firecrackers in several areas, including Juhu Koliwada.

The continued use of restricted firecrackers has raised questions about the effectiveness of the BMC’s enforcement measures.

Municipal officials have reportedly acknowledged difficulties in deploying enforcement teams during nighttime hours, making it challenging to monitor and prevent violations.

With 333 firecracker-related incidents reported in just five days, residents have raised concerns over public safety and questioned whether the restrictions imposed by the civic body are being effectively implemented on the ground or remain limited to official orders.