Can smart tech prevent the next fire emergency

Electrical malfunctions, lack of emergency preparedness and failure to enforce fire safety norms have made urban and rural areas vulnerable to preventable disasters.

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A family is asleep in their Mumbai apartment, a group of children is playing in a gaming arcade in Rajkot, and newborns are in a hospital’s intensive care unit in Delhi. What do they all have in common? In the past year alone, all these seemingly safe spaces turned into deadly fire traps claiming lives in a matter of minutes. Across India, fire incidents are not just rising but becoming deadlier. In an era when nearly 20 percent of fires in the country are attributed to electrical circuits and this figure escalates to 70 percent in urban areas and where nearly 13 lives are lost to electrocution every day (as reported by industry sources), ensuring electrical safety is not just an option; it is a necessity. Moreover, electrical hazards are reported to account for approximately 40 percent of workplace fatalities in the country. Electrical malfunctions, lack of emergency preparedness and failure to enforce fire safety norms have made urban and rural areas vulnerable to preventable disasters. As the country expands its infrastructure and industrial base the question remains: Is India truly equipped to prevent its next major fire tragedy?

Alarming State of Fire Safety

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data shows nearly 40 percent of workplace fatalities stem from electrical issues—a preventable cause with proper safety protocols. The situation is particularly dire in metropolitan areas like Mumbai, with approximately 70 percent of fire outbreaks attributed directly to faulty electrical systems in buildings. These numbers reflect technical failures and institutional shortcomings in regulation, enforcement and public awareness. The rapid pace of urbanisation has created densely populated areas where buildings often fail to meet basic safety standards. Informal settlements, ageing infrastructure, substandard wiring and inadequate emergency response capabilities further add to the issue.

Root Cause of the Crisis