B&B inferno claims 21 lives in Delhi

Questions mount over fire clearances, occupancy limits and emergency exits after one of Delhi’s deadliest building fires

At least 21 people, including 17 foreign nationals, were killed and more than 40 others rescued after a massive fire engulfed a five-storey building in South Delhi on Wednesday morning. The death toll may rise further as several injured persons remain in critical condition, officials said.

The blaze was reported at Flourish Stay B&B (Bed and Breakfast), in the congested Hauz Rani locality of Malviya Nagar, to the Delhi Fire Service between 8.48 am and 8.50 am. Flames, believed to have originated in the basement or on the ground floor, where the Lemon Green Restaurant is located, spread rapidly through the narrow structure, trapping occupants in smoke-filled rooms.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as thick smoke engulfed the building. Residents smashed windows and attempted rescues while waiting for emergency teams. A woman carrying a young child reportedly jumped from the third floor after locals spread mattresses on the ground below. Both survived with injuries.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the property, which was licensed under the Delhi Government’s B&B Scheme for six rooms, was allegedly operating 25 rooms, including unauthorised accommodation in the basement. Officials said the building had only one entry and exit point. The status of its fire safety clearance is unclear.

The structure comprised a ground floor occupied by the restaurant, a basement and five upper floors used as guest accommodation. According to witnesses, the basement where several guests were trapped was locked, forcing rescuers to spend more than 20 minutes breaking it open.

The owner, identified as Lovkesh Bajaj, who allegedly operated the establishment with two partners, was detained on late Wednesday night. Locals told The Pioneer  that Bajaj owns several other properties in the area and demanded a thorough investigation into possible violations at those establishments as well.

A mattress seller emerged as an unlikely hero after laying out his stock to cushion falls from the upper floors. Several residents also performed CPR on victims pulled from the building. Victims included nationals from Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Bangladesh and several Central Asian countries. Many had reportedly travelled to Delhi to accompany relatives undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals, including Max Hospital in Saket.

Eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Firefighters, assisted by Delhi Police personnel, disaster response teams and residents, rescued more than 40 people, including at least 37 from the basement. Search and rescue operations concluded at around 12.12 pm.

The Delhi Police have registered an FIR against unknown persons under provisions relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and launched an investigation into the tragedy. Police are probing allegations of serious safety violations at the establishment, which was allegedly operating far beyond its permitted capacity.

Max Hospital received 39 patients from the site. Eighteen were brought dead, while 15 were admitted to the intensive care unit, including eight on ventilator support. Five persons with minor injuries were treated and discharged, while one patient with extensive burns was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. Doctors said the victims suffered from smoke inhalation, burns and injuries sustained while attempting to escape.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) treated 13 others, including three people injured after jumping from the building and 10 police personnel who sustained injuries during evacuation efforts.

Delhi Fire Services Chief AK Malik said the building had been thoroughly searched and the fire completely extinguished. The exact cause remains under investigation, though preliminary indications point to either an electrical short circuit or a cylinder-related incident in the restaurant area.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed grief over the loss of lives and said multiple emergency agencies were mobilised immediately after information about the fire was received. In a social media post, she said teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, District Disaster Management Authority, CATS Ambulance Services and other agencies launched rescue and relief operations without delay.

“Their swift response helped in rescuing and evacuating several persons from the affected premises,” Gupta said, adding that the Delhi Government is closely monitoring the situation and ensuring all necessary medical assistance and support to affected families.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced an ex gratia of 2 lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased and 50,000 rupees for the injured. President Droupadi Murmu described the incident as “extremely heartbreaking” and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also expressed condolences and called for adequate compensation and medical care for the victims.