Tragic Hotel Fire in Delhi Claims Lives of 21, Including Foreign Nationals

Devastating Fire in Malviya Nagar

New Delhi, June 3: A significant fire erupted in a hotel located in a narrow lane of Malviya Nagar, South Delhi, on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 individuals, including foreign guests whose relatives were hospitalized nearby.

The fire at Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani ignited around 8:30 AM and rapidly escalated, catching many off guard.

Rescue teams, along with local volunteers, hurried to the scene to save those trapped within the five-story building.

Approximately 40 individuals were rescued and taken to hospitals, where 21 were pronounced dead upon arrival, according to officials. The number of fatalities may increase as several injured individuals are in critical condition.

Firefighters work to extinguish the flames in a hotel in New Delhi's Malviya Nagar. (Photo:PTI)

Among the deceased were foreign nationals, many from Central Asian and African nations, who were staying at the hotel to support their relatives admitted to Max Hospital, located just minutes away.

Images from the scene depicted high flames and twisted wires amidst the smoke-filled environment, with shattered glass scattered around the charred building.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Emergency teams from the Delhi Fire Services, police, and disaster response units scoured the smoke-damaged structure for survivors. Victims were seen being extracted from the basement and transported to hospitals via ambulances.

Officials indicated that the fire originated at Lemon Green Restaurant, but police later confirmed it was a hotel building. The structure consists of a basement, ground floor, and five upper levels, as stated by fire officer A K Malik.

The restaurant occupied the ground floor, while the remainder of the building functioned as a hotel.

Local residents attempt to extinguish the flames. (Photo:PTI)

"We have secured the entire area. Multiple teams are on-site. We are assessing the number of rooms in the hotel. Every aspect will be investigated. Some police and fire personnel also sustained injuries," a senior police official stated.

The hotel was authorized for only six rooms under the Delhi government's bed and breakfast policy, yet it was operating 25 rooms, according to police reports. Additional rooms had been constructed in the basement. In a tragic oversight, the hotel had only one entry and exit point. The fire safety clearance is currently under scrutiny.

One eyewitness, who was among the first responders, mentioned that the basement was locked, and he assisted the fire team in gaining access. "It took over 20 minutes to unlock the basement," he claimed.

As thick smoke enveloped the building and flames spread quickly, several individuals were seen breaking windows and calling for assistance.

"A woman with a young child jumped from the third floor after local residents placed mattresses on the ground below to catch those trapped inside," an eyewitness recounted.

At Max Hospital, located across the street, distraught relatives gathered in the waiting area, anxiously searching for their loved ones, checking lists, and making frantic phone calls as the injured and deceased were brought in.

"We can't identify them from pictures; they are unrecognizable. Everyone is severely burned," lamented one man, overwhelmed with grief.

Max Hospital reported that 39 patients were admitted to the emergency department. Of these, 18 were declared dead upon arrival, while 15 were admitted to the ICU, including eight on ventilator support and in critical condition. The patients suffered from asphyxiation, minor burn injuries, and fractures.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences received 13 patients, three of whom were injured from falls, and ten were hurt while attempting to rescue those trapped in the burning building.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences regarding the tragedy.

"The news of the loss of lives in the fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of those injured," Murmu stated in a social media post.

The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.