A horrific tragedy unfolded in South Delhi’s congested Hauz Rani locality in Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, as a massive fire tore through a multi-story building, leaving at least 21 people dead and several others critically injured.
The disaster began around 8:30 AM on the lower levels of the building, which houses the “Lemon Green Restaurant” on the ground floor and basement, and the “Flourish Stay” bed-and-breakfast on the upper floors. Thick smoke and flames quickly engulfed the narrow, five-story structure, trapping dozens of occupants inside.
Desperate scenes played out as trapped individuals broke windows to escape. Eyewitnesses reported seeing terrified occupants, including a woman holding a small child, leaping from the upper floors. Local residents rushed to help, dragging mattresses from nearby shops to catch those jumping from the building.
Emergency cells were quickly activated, mobilizing units from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). Firefighters faced intense conditions, even entering the smoke-logged basement to pull survivors out.
Over 40 people were successfully rescued from the inferno, though the operation took a heavy toll, resulting in the hospitalisation of 10 Delhi Police personnel due to injuries sustained during the rescue.
Out of the dozens rushed to nearby medical facilities, including Max Hospital in Saket, 21 people were declared dead. Medical officials reported that 18 of those brought to the hospital were already deceased, and multiple survivors remain in critical condition on ventilator support in the ICU.
Notably, a vast majority of the victims, at least 18 of the deceased, are foreign nationals, primarily from Central Asian and African countries, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Bangladesh, and Liberia, who were residing at the B&B.
While forensic teams work to pinpoint the exact cause of the blaze, early investigations point to a severe lack of compliance with safety standards. Preliminary findings indicate that the establishment was operating without a mandatory Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Delhi Police have registered an FIR for culpable homicide against the building’s owners and operators, launching immediate raids to arrest the hotel owner. In response to the disaster, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor has called an emergency high-level meeting to address systemic safety lapses and recurring fire incidents across the capital.
The tragedy has drawn deep condolences from top political leadership, including President Droupadi Murmu and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who promised full support to the affected families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound grief over the loss of life, announcing an ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased victim, and ₹50,000 for those injured in the incident.
