By the time the morning light hit the rooftops, the air around Connaught Place already carried a faint crackle of Diwali. Shopfronts were being scrubbed clean, electric strings flickered weakly in test runs, and every street corner smelled of paint, incense, and sugar.

Inside a small fire station near Karol Bagh, men in soot-stained uniforms were checking hoses and radios. “Festival or not, we don’t sleep this week,” one of them laughed, adjusting his helmet strap. The Delhi fire service was already in Diwali mode- alert, ready, and running drills before most of the city had finished breakfast.

 A Festival, A Watchtower

For the Delhi fire service, Diwali isn’t just about light, it’s about staying one step ahead of the flame. Each year brings new decorations, more electrical wiring, more rooftop diyas, and yes, more chances for things to go wrong.

This year, officials aren’t taking any risks. Over 300 fire tenders and 2,000 officers have been placed on rotation duty through the week of Diwali 2025. Quick-response vehicles will be stationed near high-risk areas like Sadar Bazaar, Chandni Chowk, Lajpat Nagar, and Tilak Nagar among them.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Rakesh Kumar leaned over a table full of city maps and said, “We’ve done this many years, but each Diwali feels new. Streets get busier, wires get older, and we still have to reach in minutes. That’s the challenge.”

 The Preparation Nobody Sees

It’s easy to miss them, those quiet preparations that happen behind the glow of the festival. Firemen polish nozzles that haven’t been used in months. Engineers test pumps twice a day. Some officers run mock drills in small lanes where big trucks can’t turn.

The Delhi fire service has also teamed up with the Delhi government to run awareness drives in markets and housing societies. Leaflets tell people how to manage diyas safely, how to switch off extra lights, and when to call for help.

In Rohini, schoolchildren watched a live demo where a fireman doused a small flame using a blanket. One kid clapped and shouted, “Uncle, this is like superhero training!” The officer smiled, perhaps thinking of the long nights ahead.

 Markets Under the Microscope

At Bhagirath Palace, where shops selling decorative lights line the narrow streets, electrical wires hang like tangled vines. The crowd moves slow, shoulder to shoulder. A single spark here could cause chaos.

That’s why the Delhi fire service has parked a tender right at the corner of the main lane. “We can’t enter with big trucks during rush hours,” said Manoj, a senior fire operator, “but we’re close enough to reach before anyone panics.”

This week, inspectors have been visiting markets to check for overloaded circuits and flammable décor. Temporary stalls have been told to keep small extinguishers nearby something that vendors now actually obey after last year’s warnings.

 Remembering Last Year

In 2024, during the same week of festivities, the department recorded over 200 emergency calls in one night. Most incidents were minor - curtains catching fire, short circuits and gas leaks but a few turned dangerous.

“People forget that joy and caution must go together,” said a veteran officer who’s served for thirty years. “Every spark has a story.”

It’s those stories that make the Delhi fire service triple-check their readiness before each Diwali. Firefighters work extra shifts, control rooms go on high alert, and every neighbourhood station keeps its gates open through the night.

Citizens’ Share of Responsibility

The Delhi government has rolled out new safety messages on radio and social media under the slogan “Roshni mein zimmedari bhi hai” - there is responsibility in light. Residents are being urged to use certified green crackers, limit bursting to designated hours, and keep balconies clear of combustibles.

Officials also want citizens to test their wiring. “People add so many decorative lights on one plug that it becomes a furnace,” an engineer said with a sigh.

Still, most Delhiites are learning. In Janakpuri, a family that faced a small short circuit last year now uses battery-powered lamps. “We love Diwali,” the father said, “but we also love our house.”

 Between Celebration and Caution

By evening, the city turns gold. Diyas blink across verandas, shops glow like small galaxies, and children race with sparklers in narrow alleys. It’s beautiful and quietly nerve-wracking.

At a control room in Connaught Place, the buzz never stops. Phones ring, screens flash coordinates, and dispatchers murmur into radios. One young operator, on her first Diwali shift, whispers to no one in particular, “I hope it stays quiet tonight.”

Outside, a tender’s engine hums like a low chant. A fireman leans on its door, sipping tea, eyes on the sky. Fireworks burst in the distance, reflected in his visor. “That’s our Diwali,” he says. “Watching the city shine, and hoping it stays safe.”

 What Residents Can Do

1. Keep diyas away from cloth and paper decorations.
2. Avoid using multi-plug extension cords for long hours.
3. Don’t leave burning candles near windows or plants.
4. Keep a bucket of sand or water handy.
5. Save the fire helpline number (101) - even second's count.

Simple actions, firefighters say, can save lives faster than sirens.

 The United Indian’s Note

As the capital readies for Diwali 2025, it isn’t just about fireworks or sweets. It’s about discipline, duty, and devotion - values that glow behind every safe celebration. The Delhi fire service stands as a reminder that service can be quiet yet powerful.

The United Indian salutes these unseen protectors who watch over millions of lamps each year. Their courage burns steady, unseen the kind of light this nation needs to keep alive, always.