Three men have been charged with arson after some houses in Edmonton caught fire from Diwali fireworks (Photo: CTV News)
Two houses in Canada’s Edmonton caught fire Monday night from a nearby fireworks display, part of a Diwali celebration, the police confirmed. Three men have been charged with arson, Edmonton Police said in its release, adding: ‘Light up your home, not your neighbour’s roof’. The fire incident started a debate in the Mill Woods community group on Facebook and many Indians weighed in on the accident. Teena Andrews, an Indian resident of the area, said her house was one of the two that caught the fire. Detailing the harrowing experience, she said she and her husband could not sleep and were still in shock. All houses are made of wood, she said adding that it’s not okay to burst fireworks near wooden houses.
A woman shared her harrowing experience of when her house catching fire from Diwali fireworks.
“My husband and I haven’t slept since. We’re traumatized and still in shock. And yes, I’m India, but today I’m totally ashamed to say so. This is not culture this is pure carelessness and stupidity,” Andrews wrote.”What’s the point of celebrating Diwali if your fireworks end up burning someone else’s home? Where’s the joy and light in thatr?” she said adding that if one can’t celebrate responsibly, there should be no celebration at all.
No permit, no fireworks
The Edmonton police confirmed that the fire sparked from fireworks set off during the Diwali celebration in a neighboring backyard. The fire could have been much worse, police said. They ask Edmontonians to avoid setting off fireworks inside city limits without a permit.“No permit. No fireworks,” the release said. “Light up your home, not your neighbour’s roof.”The names of the three men charged in connection with the fire have not been released.
‘Diwali is our most important festival’
An Indian man said fireworks have nothing to do with Diwali celebrations.
Another Indian, Mohit Vig, commented in the open community and said fireworks have nothing to do with the Diwali celebration. “I am an Indian and proud to belong to a Sanatan religion. Diwali is our most important festival. But please allow me to make it clear that fireworks has nothing to do with Diwali celebration,” he wrote.
