Delhi's Malviya Nagar hotel fire leaves 21 dead; most victims foreign nationals

At least 21 people, including foreign nationals, died in a fire at a bed-and-breakfast in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday (June 3) morning. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Further details are awaited.

Fire Brigade officials said they received information about the blaze at around 8.50 am. Soon after, 10 fire tenders were dispatched to the scene at Lemon Green Restaurant to contain the flames.

The blaze erupted at the Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani, a congested locality in Malviya Nagar.

According to a Delhi Fire Service (DFS) officer, the initial response included two water tenders, two water bowsers, a quick response vehicle and several other firefighting units.

Rescue operation launched

Rescue teams launched an operation after reports emerged that people were trapped inside the building.

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During the firefighting effort, DFS personnel entered the restaurant’s basement and pulled out three individuals who had been stranded inside. The victims were transported to a hospital by CATS ambulances for medical treatment. Their condition was not immediately known.

"We activated the DDMA cell as soon as we received a call. We have come to know that a restaurant was operating on the ground floor of this building. The cause of the fire is still not known. Four bodies have been retrieved so far. 7-8 people, including the injured, have been taken to the hospital for treatment. Some people from the floors above jumped out of the building on the mattresses laid on the road by the locals," Jitendra Kumar, SDM, DDMA, South District, said earlier in the day as quoted by ANI.

Several of those killed are foreigners, mainly from Central Asian and African countries, officials said, adding the death toll may rise as a number of the injured are in critical condition.

Shocking scenes unfold

A woman clutching her young child jumped from the third floor of the building as thick smoke and flames left her with no way out, eyewitnesses said. Local residents, including mattress shop owners, had rushed to spread mattresses on the ground below even before emergency services could reach the spot.

"She was carrying the child tightly and jumped when there was no other way out. People had already arranged mattresses below the building. Both survived, but she appeared to have suffered injuries," an eyewitness said. The woman landed on one of the mattresses along with the child and both were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

Speaking to reporters, another eyewitness said that he noticed flames and smoke billowing from the building around 9.30 am while passing through the area. "I saw four to six people breaking the glass and jumping from the building to escape the fire. One person's leg appeared to have been broken after the fall," he said.

PM announces ex-gratia

Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased.

"The loss of lives due to a fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi is tragic. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi," the PMO stated in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, in a post on X, said, "Deeply distressed by the tragic fire at a hotel in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar. My thoughts and condolences are with the families of the deceased, and I join all in praying for the swift recovery of those injured."

Govt monitoring situation: CM

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that after being informed about the incident, teams of Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, CATS Ambulance Services and other emergency response agencies rushed to the spot, adding that the government was monitoring the situation.

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"Immediately upon receiving information about the incident, teams of Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, CATS Ambulance Services and other emergency response agencies were mobilised and launched rescue and relief operations. Their swift response helped in rescuing & evacuating several persons from the affected premises. Delhi Govt. is closely monitoring the situation. All necessary medical assistance & support are being extended to the affected families," she stated in a post on X.

(With agency inputs)