Our Bureau
New Delhi
At least 21 people were killed and more than 40 others rescued when a massive fire broke out at the Flourish Stay Bed and Breakfast in Hauz Rani, a congested locality in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area, on Wednesday morning. Among the dead, at least 11 were foreign nationals mainly from Central Asia and Africa, officials confirmed.
Delhi Fire Service officials rescued three people from the basement of the Lemon Green Restaurant during the operation. More than 40 people were pulled from the burning building and rushed to nearby hospitals, where 21 were declared brought dead. Several injured remain in critical condition at AIIMS and Max Hospital in Saket, raising fears the death toll could rise further.
Delhi Divisional Officer Ravinder Singh confirmed the rescue operation has been completed and the blaze fully extinguished. The Delhi Police have registered a FIR under charges of culpable homicide in connection with the tragedy. The Ministry of External Affairs is in contact with relevant embassies regarding the foreign nationals who died. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has sought an official report on the incident.
The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined as investigators continues their probe. Sources indicate the hotel was licensed by the Delhi government under the Bed and Breakfast scheme to operate six rooms but was allegedly running 24 rooms. Grief-stricken relatives gathered at Max Hospital for hours seeking information about their loved ones. The incident has sparked outrage over safety violations in Delhi’s unregulated hospitality sector.
