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6,891 Lives Lost in Over 7,000 Fire Accidents Across India in 2023

Official data presented in Parliament shows 6,891 people were killed in 7,054 fire accidents across India in 2023. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that ensuring fire safety is primarily the responsibility of state governments. The central government has launched a Rs 5,000 crore scheme for the expansion and modernisation of fire services in states. Safety guidelines are governed by state rules and the National Building Code of India, 2016, which incorporates international best practices.

Key Points: 2023 Fire Accidents: 6,891 Deaths, Govt Modernisation Plan

  • 6,891 killed in 2023 fires
  • 7,054 fire accidents recorded
  • Rs 5,000 crore central scheme launched
  • National Building Code guides safety norms
  • States hold primary enforcement duty
3 min read

6,891 killed in 7,054 fire accidents in 2023: Home MoS Nityanand Rai

NCRB data reveals 6,891 fatalities in 7,054 fire accidents in 2023. Centre outlines a Rs 5,000 crore scheme for modernising state fire services.

"It is the primary responsibility of the State governments to take necessary measures for strengthening and equipping fire services - Nityanand Rai"

New Delhi, Feb 10

As many as 6,891 people were killed and 284 wounded in 7,054 fire accidents recorded by the National Crime Record Bureau during 2023, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, in an oral reply, said it is the primary responsibility of the State governments to take necessary measures

for strengthening and equipping fire services and to avert fire incidents in their jurisdiction.

He said the role of the Central government is to advise and offer support, in policy matters, to State Governments for undertaking prevention and fire safety measures.

Sharing details of the existing guidelines and provisions for fire safety, the MoS said the enforcement of fire safety regulations, inspections, accountability mechanisms and penalties are also governed by the respective State Fire Service Acts/Rules and local statutory provisions.

He said the Bureau of Indian Standards has published the National Building Code of India (NBC), 2016, which covers the detailed guidelines for construction, maintenance and fire safety of the structures.

The current version of the NBC, 2016, includes the aspects regarding smoke management, periodic audits, electrical fire prevention, building management system, sensors for firefighting and fire prevention, he said.

The international best practices in building construction, including fire safety, were also considered in revising the respective chapter of NBC, 2016, he said.

In addition, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has framed the Model Building Bye Laws 2016, for guiding the States/UTs for revising their respective Building Bye Laws.

It also contains a Chapter on fire protection and fire safety requirements, which prescribes the norms and standards for fire protection, and its effective enforcement is in the domain of the States/UTs, said Rai.

The Minister of State said that recognising the need for expansion and modernisation of fire services in the States, the 15th Finance Commission recommended a provision of Rs 5,000 crore for strengthening the fire services at the state level.

The Central Government has launched a "Scheme for Expansion and Modernisation of Fire Services in the States" on July 4, 2023, from the Preparedness and Capacity Building Funding Window under the National Disaster Response Fund for strengthening fire services in the States with a total central outlay of Rs 5,000 crore, said the MoS.

The measures included in the scheme provide setting up of new fire stations, strengthening of State Training Centres and capacity building, provisions for modern fire-fighting equipment, strengthening of State Headquarters and Urban Fire Stations, technological upgradation and installation and augmentation of online system, he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
The blame game between Centre and State needs to stop. Yes, fire services are a state subject, but when lives are being lost at this scale, there has to be stronger central oversight. Rs 5,000 crore is a significant amount – we need transparency in how this money is actually being used by the states. No more excuses.
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Aman W
Most fire accidents are preventable! We see illegal electrical wiring, buildings with no fire exits, and shops storing flammable materials in residential areas every day. Citizens also need to be more aware. We can't just rely on the government. Basic fire safety drills should be taught in every school and housing society. 🚒
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Sarah B
The mention of the National Building Code 2016 incorporating international best practices is encouraging. However, a code is only as good as its implementation. In many Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the fire department itself is under-equipped. The new scheme must prioritize these areas, not just metropolitan cities.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, the minister's reply feels like reading a government manual. We know about the guidelines and the funds. What we need to know is the ACTION TAKEN. How many fire audits were conducted in 2023? How many notices were issued to violators? How many prosecutions? Data without accountability is meaningless.
M
Meera T
This is a wake-up call for all of us living in apartments and working in offices. We must ask our building managements: where are the fire extinguishers? Are the exits clear? When was the last safety check? As residents and tenants, we have a right to demand this. Our

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