Noida: Highrise societies across Noida and Greater Noida are tightening fire safety measures ahead of Diwali, with several apartment owners’ associations (AOAs) discouraging or prohibiting aerial fireworks such as skyshots and rockets after a series of fires in residential towers exposed the risks of bursting crackers near flats and balconies.At Supertech Eco Village 1, the maintenance team has banned aerial fireworks within the society premises following two fire incidents in the past year. The latest occurred last Friday in Tower B16, when a firecracker landed on a second-floor balcony and ignited waste materials stored there. No injuries were reported.The society had a narrow escape last Diwali, on Oct 20, 2025, when a stray rocket struck an outdoor air-conditioning unit in Tower J, triggering a fire that gutted an entire flat. The family was away celebrating at the time, and no casualties were reported.In a notice issued on Saturday (Oct 31), the maintenance team said the ban on skyshots, rockets and similar aerial fireworks was necessary to protect residents and prevent another fire. It warned that violations would invite action under society regulations.The incidents have prompted other high-rise societies to issue festive safety advisories and discourage fireworks that could land on balconies or come in contact with buildings. Last Diwali, 17 fire incidents were reported in high-rise societies across Noida and Greater Noida, including Civiltech Samprati in Sector 77, Amrapali Zodiac in Sector 120 and Cleo County in Sector 121. Five condominium balconies in Greater Noida also caught fire, damaging flats.Nikhil Singhal, president of the Noida Highrise Federation (NHRF) 100x Sectors, said apartment associations should consider restricting high-risk fireworks, particularly those burst close to residential towers.“A little precaution can prevent a major tragedy. Let us celebrate Diwali with joy, responsibility, and utmost concern for the safety of every resident,” he said.The Noida Federation of Apartment Owners Associations (NOFAA) has also advised its member societies to discourage skyshots and make arrangements to minimise fire risks. Its president, Puneet Sharma, said societies were identifying designated areas for bursting crackers and ensuring firefighting equipment and emergency arrangements were available.“We have seen incidents of fire breaking out in balconies due to sky rockets. Societies under NOFAA are taking utmost care to prevent accidents with dedicated areas for firecrackers and proper firefighting arrangements in such areas in case of exigencies,” Sharma said.He added that residents planning to travel during the festive period had been advised to remove combustible material from balconies and common areas. Societies have also displayed emergency contact numbers and conducted fire drills. Sharma urged parents not to leave children unattended while they burst crackers.Beyond individual society-level restrictions, residents have sought clearer guidelines from the district fire department on celebrating Diwali in high-rise complexes.Rajiva Singh, former NOFAA president, said he had written to the district fire officer, with a copy to the GB Nagar police commissioner, seeking standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the use of firecrackers in residential complexes.The guidelines, he said, should specify designated fireworks zones, safe distances from buildings and parking areas, permissible types of crackers and firefighting arrangements required at celebration venues.Residents have also sought the deployment of basic firefighting equipment, including sand buckets, water hoses and fire extinguishers, at designated areas, along with clear emergency response protocols.
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