Ludhiana, Oct. 19 -- With Diwali celebrations approaching, the civic body has amped up preparations to ensure the safety of residents. Over 120 firefighters will remain on duty across the city on Diwali night, supported by modern equipment and temporary fire stations to respond quickly to emergencies.

Mayor Inderjit Kaur and MC commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal have appealed to residents to celebrate a safe and prosperous Diwali, warning against storing flammable materials such as hosiery, waste cloth or furniture on rooftops. They also emphasised that firecrackers should only be purchased from markets with temporary licences issued by the administration and police and that strict action will be taken against violators.

To tackle fire inci...