<p>Mumbai Police today banned the use of flying lanterns during Diwali celebration in a bid to avert possible fire and security threats caused by them to high rise buildings.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The city police also decided to let people use sound-producing firecrackers till midnight on Laxmi Pujan (October 30), extending the deadline by two hours - from 10 PM to 12 AM.<br /><br />"The use of fire lanterns in Mumbai skies during the Diwali festivities has been banned after a suggestion from the Fire Brigade," city police spokesperson DCP Ashok Dudhe said.<br /><br />Such lanterns had caused fires in some buildings in the past, the official added.<br /><br />Chief of Fire Brigade of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), P S Rahangdale, in a letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner, had drawn the attention of the Police Department towards accidents caused due to 'flying lanterns' every year.<br /><br />"Flying lanterns in large number are released in air during Diwali and Makar Sankranti (festivals), which pose a serious threat to aircraft, high rise towers, slums, installations of HPCL and BPCL refineries etc. Even terrorists activities cannot be ruled out by its use," he said.<br /><br />It is, therefore, essential to ban the use of flying lanterns so that possible threats can be averted, he said.<br /><br />Referring to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommendations, Rahangdale said countries like the US and Thailand have also supported the ban on such flying objects.<br /><br />He also asked the police to take action against those found selling and flying such item under the relevant sections of IPC.<br /><br />The Fire Brigade chief also cited data of calls received at their stations during Diwali in the last three years. A total of 217 calls were received in three years from 2013 to 2015.<br /><br />Out of 217, 103 calls reported fire at refuse area of buildings. In as many as 80 incidents (calls), fire took place in godown and parts of house.<br /><br />Besides, the city fire brigade has also launched a campaign to sensitise Mumbaikars to observe a safe and secure Diwali.<br /><br />Meanwhile, talking about the extension of firecrackers deadline, Dudhe said, "Police have decided to allow people to use sound-generating fireworks till midnight on Laxmi Pujan."</p>
<p>Mumbai Police today banned the use of flying lanterns during Diwali celebration in a bid to avert possible fire and security threats caused by them to high rise buildings.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The city police also decided to let people use sound-producing firecrackers till midnight on Laxmi Pujan (October 30), extending the deadline by two hours - from 10 PM to 12 AM.<br /><br />"The use of fire lanterns in Mumbai skies during the Diwali festivities has been banned after a suggestion from the Fire Brigade," city police spokesperson DCP Ashok Dudhe said.<br /><br />Such lanterns had caused fires in some buildings in the past, the official added.<br /><br />Chief of Fire Brigade of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), P S Rahangdale, in a letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner, had drawn the attention of the Police Department towards accidents caused due to 'flying lanterns' every year.<br /><br />"Flying lanterns in large number are released in air during Diwali and Makar Sankranti (festivals), which pose a serious threat to aircraft, high rise towers, slums, installations of HPCL and BPCL refineries etc. Even terrorists activities cannot be ruled out by its use," he said.<br /><br />It is, therefore, essential to ban the use of flying lanterns so that possible threats can be averted, he said.<br /><br />Referring to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommendations, Rahangdale said countries like the US and Thailand have also supported the ban on such flying objects.<br /><br />He also asked the police to take action against those found selling and flying such item under the relevant sections of IPC.<br /><br />The Fire Brigade chief also cited data of calls received at their stations during Diwali in the last three years. A total of 217 calls were received in three years from 2013 to 2015.<br /><br />Out of 217, 103 calls reported fire at refuse area of buildings. In as many as 80 incidents (calls), fire took place in godown and parts of house.<br /><br />Besides, the city fire brigade has also launched a campaign to sensitise Mumbaikars to observe a safe and secure Diwali.<br /><br />Meanwhile, talking about the extension of firecrackers deadline, Dudhe said, "Police have decided to allow people to use sound-generating fireworks till midnight on Laxmi Pujan."</p>