21 dead in devastating Delhi hotel fire, safety lapses under scanner

At least 21 people were killed and more than 40 rescued after a massive fire ripped through a hotel in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar on June 3, triggering panic and desperate escape attempts by guests trapped inside the smoke-filled building.

The fire broke out at Flourish Stay B&B, a property operating under Delhi government's Bed and Breakfast scheme. Officials said several of those killed were foreign nationals, primarily from Central Asian and African countries. The death toll could rise further as a number of injured victims remain in critical condition.

Dramatic visuals from the scene showed two women jumping from the building in an attempt to escape the flames and thick smoke. Their condition was not immediately known.

The Delhi Fire Service received information about the blaze around 9 am and rushed multiple firefighting units to the spot. Eight fire tenders were deployed as rescue teams worked to evacuate those trapped inside the building. Initial response teams included water tenders, water bowsers, a quick response vehicle and other firefighting equipment.

The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment as emergency personnel continued rescue operations.

Questions over license compliance

The tragedy has put the spotlight on possible violations of safety and licensing norms by the hotel.

According to sources, the establishment had been granted permission to operate only six rooms under the Bed and Breakfast scheme. However, it was allegedly running 25 rooms, including some in the basement.

At least three people were rescued from the basement during the operation. Police have begun the process of registering an FIR against the hotel owner. Delhi Police also said the building had only one entry and exit point, a factor that may have complicated evacuation efforts.

Further concerns emerged after the Delhi Fire Services chief confirmed findings from an on-ground investigation by Aaj Tak, stating that the hotel did not possess a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). He said the building's structure itself did not meet the requirements necessary for obtaining a fire NOC under existing regulations.

The fire chief also revealed that several hotels in the surrounding area were operating without fire NOCs, raising broader concerns about enforcement of fire safety norms in the locality.

Building left charred

After firefighters brought the blaze under control, visuals from the site showed extensive damage across multiple floors of the building, which was left heavily charred.

Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire. Investigations are underway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. Families of those killed will receive ₹2 lakh each, while the injured will be provided ₹50,000.

"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," Modi said in a post on X.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also condoled the deaths, describing the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy and extending support to the affected families.