7,800 calls: Delhi's fire surge exposes urban safety gaps

The surge is being driven by short circuits, overheated appliances, transformer faults and overloaded wiring systems, particularly in densely populated neighbourhoods.

- MIR UMAR

Delhi's fire services are experiencing one of their most demanding summer periods in recent years, with emergency response teams handling over 7800 fire-related calls amid rising temperatures and increasing incidents linked to electrical failures in residential and commercial buildings.

Officials say the surge is being driven largely by short circuits, overheated appliances, transformer faults and overloaded wiring systems, particularly in densely populated neighbourhoods where infrastructure has not kept pace with rapid urban expansion. The combination of extreme heat and high electricity consumption has further intensified risks across the city.

A senior official from the fire department said the pattern reflects a predictable but increasingly severe seasonal strain.

“Every summer we see a rise in fire calls, but what is concerning this time is the frequency of electrical fire incidents and the speed at which they escalate,” the official said. “Many buildings are simply not designed for the kind of power load they are currently carrying.”