Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire: Cook arrested as probe finds negligence behind blaze that killed 21
Delhi Police have arrested a cook employed at the hotel where a devastating fire claimed 21 lives in the Malviya Nagar area earlier this week. Investigators believe the employee’s negligence may have played a significant role in triggering or worsening the blaze, which has become one of the deadliest fire incidents in the capital in recent years.
The fire ripped through the multi-storey property operating as a bed-and-breakfast facility in Hauz Rani, killing 21 people, including several foreign nationals, and injuring dozens more. Rescue teams, firefighters and local residents worked for hours to evacuate trapped occupants as thick smoke and flames engulfed the building.
According to preliminary findings, investigators have uncovered evidence pointing to negligence in the kitchen area. The arrest comes as police continue to examine safety violations, operational practices and the sequence of events that led to the tragedy. Several other individuals have also been questioned as part of the ongoing probe.
The investigation has already exposed serious concerns regarding the establishment’s compliance with safety norms. Authorities are examining allegations that the property was operating beyond permitted capacity and lacked mandatory fire safety clearances. Questions have also been raised about unauthorized structural modifications that may have hampered evacuation efforts during the emergency.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Delhi authorities have ordered an extensive fire-safety inspection drive across hotels, restaurants and other commercial establishments. The crackdown aims to identify violations and prevent similar incidents, as public scrutiny intensifies over enforcement of safety regulations in the national capital.
