Diwali Celebrations by Indians End in Property Damage in the US

Diwali was celebrated with enthusiasm and joy by Indians across the globe, including those living in the United States. However, this year’s festivities turned chaotic in some places as overenthusiastic celebrations caused significant property damage in several American cities.

For the first time, locals in the US openly criticized Indians for going overboard with fireworks. Several incidents of fire, injuries, and property destruction were reported, especially from New York and New Jersey, where celebrations reportedly continued past midnight despite local restrictions.

In Queens, New York, three houses on Lincoln Street were completely damaged due to fireworks that accidentally entered a home and caused a fire. Two individuals sustained injuries in the incident. CCTV footage showed the fireworks launching into the air before landing on the rooftops, leading to massive flames.

Meanwhile, in Edison, New Jersey, fire officials received over 40 emergency calls in one night. Despite repeated warnings from neighbors, Indian communities continued bursting crackers late into the night, disturbing local residents. Several videos on X showed fire trucks rushing to control the flames and people fleeing their burning homes.

In one such viral video, an American woman expressed her distress, saying, “We just ran out of our house after flames erupted in one of the rooms due to the crackers. My son wasn’t even fully dressed. We are now living in a hotel room.”

The incidents have sparked debates on social media, with some netizens accusing the expat community of lacking civic sense and disregarding safety norms during the festival.