Though thefestival runs for a week, with most ofthe action happening in Pastrana Park, celebrations truly fire up in the final three days (Friday to Sunday).
He said fire statistics from across the UK showed there was an increase in fires during Diwali - thefestivalof lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
But it is too early to tell if this really is a sign that Mr Abbas is persuading the militants to hold fire, or whether it was simply a brief lull to mark this week's Muslim festivalof Eid.