A call for comprehensive fire safety in Dimapur

Dimapur, the gateway to Nagaland, is a city that has seen rapid growth and transformation in recent decades. Yet, with that growth comes an often-overlooked challenge: “Fire Safety”. The city has become a case study in the consequences of unregulated urban expansion and a growing need for more effective fire risk management. We have all heard the headlines, seen the pictures, and felt the collective anxiety of residents who are constantly at risk of a fire disaster. But is it enough to acknowledge the issue, or should we look beyond the flames and into the root causes?
The City’s Dance with Disaster: Like many fast-growing urban centres, Dimapur has experienced a growth level that can only be described as “Urbanization”. A dense concentration of residential areas, rapidly expanding markets, and limited land space have increased poorly planned housing and businesses, many of which operate without the necessary fire safety measures. But urbanization is only part of the picture. We must ask ourselves: how much do we truly understand the complexities that make Dimapur more vulnerable to fire hazards?
The usage of conventional building materials is among the first things that need to make us think. While charming in their cultural and aesthetic appeal, materials such as wood, bamboo, and thatch are, in practical terms, just waiting to catch fire. Yet, they continue to dominate the city’s architectural landscape. Why? Because they are cheap and readily available. But, as the saying goes, just because something is available does not mean it is the best choice—significantly, when the costs of a fire can far outweigh the convenience of inexpensive materials.
Then, of course, there is the ageing infrastructure. In an era where technology has evolved, and entire cities have smart grids to handle power demands, many households still struggles with faulty wiring and overloaded circuits. It is almost as though we have built a city that is growing faster than the capacity of its electrical systems to support it. This is not just bad planning—this is asking for trouble.
Negligence in the Cold: The Overlooked Risk: While fire risks are often linked to the intense heat of summer, it is worth noting that many incidents in Dimapur have occurred predominantly during the winter months. During this time, the use of electrical appliances such as fans, fridges, and coolers significantly decreases, leading one to consider that the root causes of fires might not solely be electrical faults, such as short circuits or overloads. Instead, the risk could stem from more preventable and everyday behaviours.
In winter, people tend to rely on alternative heating sources like wood, charcoal, or kerosene stoves. The use of open flames, poorly maintained stoves, or improper placement of heating sources near flammable materials can quickly escalate into a fire hazard. These risks often go unnoticed, particularly in homes where safety standards are not rigorously followed.
Negligence plays a significant role—people often overlook fire safety in their pursuit of warmth, leaving fires unattended, improperly placing heating sources, or storing flammable materials too close. These minor oversights can escalate into serious risks, highlighting the need for constant vigilance and a focus on safety, no matter the season.
Improper Wiring: A Hidden Danger in Households
In many households, unsafe wiring practices remain a silent danger. Residents often rely on makeshift connections, like hooks from the main power line, which can easily overload circuits and lead to short circuits. These quick fixes, though common, significantly increase the risk of fires.
Even more concerning is the lack of awareness about the correct type of wire to use for different appliances. Many do not realize that high-wattage bulbs or appliances need specific wiring to avoid overheating. Using the wrong wire can cause wires to heat up and potentially spark a fire.
Ensuring proper wiring is used for each device and educating residents on basic electrical safety is crucial to preventing these hidden risks. By making simple changes—like using the correct wire and avoiding overloading circuits—residents can radically reduce the risk of electrical fires in their homes.
Policy vs. Practice: So, what is being done? The problem is not that people do not know fires are dangerous. The real question is: Why are we still having these fires despite years of awareness campaigns and endless news stories detailing their devastating effects? The answer lies in the gap between policy and practice.
Yes, we have regulations on fire safety—somewhere on paper, that is. But how many of us can say we have seen the local authorities actively enforcing these rules? The fire safety measures in new buildings are often more aspirational than actual, and older buildings are left to operate in a fire-safety free zone, where outdated electrical systems and flammable materials are, apparently, not just overlooked but accepted as “Normal.” The lack of enforcement does not just endanger individuals; it endangers an entire community. What Dimapur needs, more than just catchy slogans or the occasional fire drill, is a cultural shift in the way we view fire safety. It is not just about buying more fire extinguishers or installing more fire exits (though, please, do that too). It is about changing the way the city plans for the future. We need stricter building codes, more stringent regulations, and most importantly, better enforcement. Imagine Dimapur where fire-resistant materials are the norm rather than the exception, and electrical infrastructure is as reliable as the rising sun. Wouldn’t that be something?
A Future free from the Ashes?
This is not just about mitigating risk; it is about creating a future where Dimapur can grow sustainably without the looming threat of disaster. It is about implementing policies that hold developers accountable, pushing for urban designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and fire-safe and ensuring essential utilities like electricity are up to standard. It is about creating a culture where every individual knows their role in fire safety, whether it is checking electrical lines, practicing safe cooking, or simply being a responsible neighbour.
Perhaps, more than anything else, it is about not letting Dimapur become a victim of its success. The city’s rapid growth is both its greatest strength and its most significant challenge. As we look to the future, we must ensure that Dimapur does not continue to grow at the cost of its safety. If we do, we risk repeating the same mistakes—and the consequences could be catastrophic.
Fire Safety Education: More than Just a One-Off Campaign
While we cannot ignore the structural and systemic issues that make Dimapur vulnerable to fires, we must also take a hard look at our collective mindset around fire safety. Many fires start from preventable causes: unattended cooking, faulty electrical appliances, and improperly stored flammable materials. So why are we still seeing so many avoidable fires? Perhaps, it may be because we treat fire safety as a one-time issue rather than a continuous community effort.
Awareness campaigns are good, but they need to be more than just a once-a-year event. Fire safety should be ingrained in every neighbourhood, at every local market, and in every household. We need a citywide fire awareness culture that encourages residents to check their electrical systems, put out cooking fires when they are done, and teach children the basics of fire safety. But that cannot happen if we rely solely on individuals to take action. The local authorities must step up and ensure that fire safety is a priority in every corner of the city.
The Challenge of Growth: Can We Do Better?
Dimapur’s growth is undeniable, but it brings with it both opportunities and challenges. The question now is: Can we do better? Can we plan for a city that is not only bigger but safer? The answer lies in creating a comprehensive approach to urban development—one that prioritizes fire-resilient materials, up-to-date infrastructure, and robust fire safety regulations.
It is time to recognize that growth should not come at the cost of safety. Urban planners must think beyond the immediate economic benefits of rapid development and consider the long-term risks associated with poorly planned infrastructure. Zoning laws should account for high-risk areas where construction density should be limited, and building regulations should ensure that fire prevention systems—like sprinklers and alarms—are installed in every new development.
A Collective Responsibility: The Time to Act is now
Fire risk is a multifaceted problem that can no longer be swept under the rug. It is not enough to just acknowledge the issue after every fire incident; it is time for action. Strengthening regulations, investing in better fire-fighting infrastructure, and fostering a culture of fire safety through education and community engagement are all steps that need to happen now.
Dimapur is at a pivotal moment. The city’s growth presents both immense opportunity and significant risk. If we do not act now, we may be caught in a cycle where preventable fires constantly undermine growth. However, if we take a collective approach—if the government, businesses, and citizens work together—Dimapur can become a model for other cities, demonstrating that growth does not have to come at the cost of safety.
Watimongba Longkumer
PhD Research Scholar,
Department of Sociology and Social Work
CHRIST University,
Bengaluru