Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde urges citizens to burst firecrackers as per High Court norms

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has appealed to residents to celebrate Diwali responsibly and follow the rules on firecrackers. The appeal comes after several major fires in the city over the past two days. The mayor asked Mumbaikars to put safety first and ensure that their celebrations do not endanger anyone else's life or property.

Tawde reminded people of the Bombay High Court's directions on bursting firecrackers. According to her, firecrackers should not be burst on footpaths, public roads or other public places. She also cautioned against rockets and other firecrackers that are launched into the air, as they can enter homes and injure people or damage property.

The mayor asked residents to burst firecrackers away from residential buildings and public places, and to cooperate with the administration in preventing accidents during the festival. Tawde said, "Let us celebrate a safe and joyful Diwali! As the first citizen of Mumbai, I appeal to all of you from the heart that no accident mars the joy of Diwali... Follow the High Court's rules while bursting firecrackers, avoid bursting them on public roads and cooperate with the administration. A little caution on our part can keep everyone safe."

The Mumbai Fire Brigade has also issued an advisory. It said firecrackers should be burst only in open spaces and a safe distance should be maintained. They should not be burst near buildings, huts, shops, parking areas, petrol pumps, electricity transformers or overhead power lines. Keeping a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby has been advised. When children burst firecrackers, parents should stay with them and keep an eye on them.

The BMC has asked people not to hold firecrackers in their hands while lighting them and not to point rockets or other airborne firecrackers towards buildings. People have also been told not to relight firecrackers that have burnt out or have not exploded.

According to the BMC, Mumbai recorded 142 fire incidents in a single day on November 8, 2026, of which 137 were caused by firecrackers. Two women were injured in these incidents. According to civic body figures, the city had 262 fire incidents during Diwali 2024, of which 80 were caused by firecrackers, and three people were injured. In 2025, 289 fire incidents were recorded, 113 of them attributed to firecrackers. No one was killed or injured that year.

The fire brigade has said people should not wear loose or synthetic clothes while bursting firecrackers and should wear cotton if possible. Paper, cloth and other easily flammable items should not be kept on terraces, balconies, near windows or around the house. If a fire breaks out, people should not panic, should move to a safe place at once and inform the fire brigade.

The BMC has said that in case of a fire or any other emergency, people should immediately call the Mumbai Fire Brigade on 101. The fire brigade can also be reached on 9076333101, 9076333102, 9076333103, 9076333104 and 9076333105. The civic body's helpline 1916 is also available for assistance.