Texas firefighters mistake Hindu puja for emergency, rush to scene; video viral
PTC Web Desk: A video of Texas firefighters showing up at an Indian family's home during a Hindu ritual has gone viral, sparking an online debate about cultural understanding and fire safety laws in the US.
The video, originally posted on Instagram, shows a fire truck outside a house where a havan — a traditional Hindu fire ritual — was being performed as part of a housewarming ceremony. A caption on the video reads: "Cultural misunderstanding 101: A Hindu puja is not a fire emergency. When you're having a housewarming havan and the fire department pulls up."
A group of Indians were worshipping the Hindu fire god in Texas, and the neighbors call the fire fighters on them. pic.twitter.com/9mSBeJbVpn — Papa Tiger (@BengaliFalcon71) August 4, 2025
In the clip, family members are seen performing the sacred ritual when officials from the Bedford Fire Department arrive to check the garage, which appeared smoky. It’s unclear whether the family broke any local fire codes or if any penalties were issued.
The video sparked a flood of mixed reactions across social media. Some users criticised the family for performing a fire ritual in a wooden house without informing authorities.
“Doing this in homes made of dry wood in foreign countries is dangerous. I can’t accept this as a cultural excuse,” one person wrote.
Others pointed out that local rules should be respected. One user commented, “They should have informed the fire department or gotten a permit for the havan.”
Another said, “If you’ve settled abroad, you must respect the laws of that country too.”
But many came to the family’s defense, calling the firefighters’ arrival a result of a cultural misunderstanding.
“They weren’t hurting anyone. It was just a peaceful prayer. What about people who grill in their garages? That causes smoke too,” a user pointed out.
One Indian-American user added, “I’m proud to see our traditions followed here. I’ve had a puja for every house and car I’ve ever bought.”
- With inputs from agencies
