Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live Updates: MCD to seal unauthorised commercial buildings in South Zone

Malviya Nagar Fire: Delhi Fire Service confirms 21 dead, 26 injured in fire; hospital-wise figures released

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: Owner Lavkesh Bajaj detained after LoC notice issued

Owner Lavkesh Bajaj has been detained after a lookout circular was issued in connection with the Malviya Nagar hotel fire that killed 21 people in south Delhi.

The hotel was allegedly operating at nearly four times its permitted capacity, had no fire safety clearance, and was functioning from a building where additional floors were constructed without informing authorities, officials said.

A police source said teams have conducted raids at multiple locations, including the residences of the building owner.

According to investigators, the building owner has been identified as Lavkesh Bajaj, while the tourism department licence was issued in the name of Jai Mishra.The hotel was being run by three partners, who are believed to own several other hotels and guesthouses across Delhi, police sources said. Read more

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: Delhi home minister Ashish Sood says buildings lacking fire safety NOC, other approvals to be sealed

Following the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy that claimed 21 lives, including 11 foreign nationals, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday said that all buildings in the city without required fire safety and other permissions will be sealed by the authorities.

"We have decided that all such buildings which do not have requisite NOCs will be sealed," Sood told reporters after attending an emergency meeting convened by Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu to review the fire safety regime in the city.

The government will also run an awareness campaign on fire safety in residential buildings that do not require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Delhi Fire Services, the minister said.

An immediate city-wide enforcement drive has also been ordered by the Delhi government following the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy.

A massive crackdown on illegal hotels will be ensured, said a statement from Sood’s office.

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: Magisterial inquiry ordered into Delhi fire tragedy to fix responsibility

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: Delhi to withdraw B&B policy after Malviya Nagar fire tragedy, says tourism minister Kapil Mishra

In the aftermath of the devastating fire at a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar that killed 21 people on Wednesday, the Delhi government has decided to officially withdraw its Bed and Breakfast (B&B) policy and conduct a review of all establishments operating under the scheme, Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said.

The decision follows a massive blaze at Flourish Stay, a B&B establishment in Malviya Nagar, which left 21 people dead, including 11 foreign nationals, and injured several others.

“We are going to officially withdraw the Bed and Breakfast scheme, and all establishments licensed under it will be checked,” Mishra told PTI.

“Action would be taken against operators found violating the terms of the licence. If any establishment registered under the scheme is found running more than six rooms, its licence will be cancelled,” the minister said.

According to Mishra, Flourish Stay was granted a licence under the B&B scheme in 2024 in the Silver category for six rooms. The licence is valid until 2027.

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: Delhi LG directs fire service, police to conduct survey to identify chokepoints in city for fire tenders

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: Licensed for 6 rooms, running 25

Seventeen foreign nationals were among the 21 people who lost their lives in the fire that swept through a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday. Most of the victims were reportedly from Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique and Bangladesh, officials said.Police officials told PTI that the hotel had permission to operate only six rooms under the Delhi government's bed-and-breakfast policy. However, it was allegedly functioning with 25 rooms, including several that had been set up in the basement, they said.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress alleged serious lapses in the response of the fire department to the deadly blaze in Delhi's Malviya Nagar.Former AAP MLA from Malviya Nagar, Somnath Bharti, claimed that fire tenders reached the spot nearly an hour after the fire broke out.

The blaze engulfed the Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast facility housed in a five-storey building in Hauz Rani, a densely populated locality in south Delhi.

"The rescue teams were dispatched, but the fire brigade, which should have arrived within a few minutes of the incident, reached almost an hour later, despite the station just three minutes away from the spot. Residents were extremely proactive. Because of their efforts, many lives were saved. We could have saved many more lives had the fire brigade arrived on time," Somnath Bharti said. Read more

Malviya Nagar Fire: 5 months after high court direction, Delhi authorities tet to act on hotel fire safety measures

Nearly five months before the devastating fire at a bed-and-breakfast facility in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar that claimed at least 21 lives on Wednesday, the Delhi high court had directed civic and government authorities to urgently address concerns over inadequate fire safety measures in hotels, restaurants and other hospitality establishments across the city, according to news agency PTI.

Despite the court's January 7 order, authorities are yet to formulate a comprehensive action plan aimed at strengthening fire safety standards and preventing such incidents, according to petitioner Arpit Bhargava.

The issue has gained renewed attention following the deadly blaze at Flourish Stay hotel in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar, one of the worst fire tragedies witnessed in the capital in recent years.Bhargava alleged that repeated reminders sent to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government, the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) seeking compliance with the court's directions have gone unanswered. Read more

Malviya Nagar restaurant fire: Police reach residence of Hotel Flourish Stay co-owner Lovkesh Bajaj

Delhi Hotel Fire: 2 Bangladeshi nationals shifted from AIIMS to Max hospital for further treatment

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: Inside the rescue operation at Delhi hotel inferno that killed 21

A large-scale rescue operation involving the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), police and ambulance services was launched on Wednesday after a massive fire broke out at Flourish Stay B&B in Delhi's Malviya Nagar, killing at least 21 people and injuring several others.The Delhi Fire Service received a call about the fire at around 8.50 am and rushed multiple fire tenders to the spot.

Abhilash Kumar Malik, chief fire officer (South Zone) stated, "We received a call at 8.50am that a restaurant was on fire. 7 vehicles were initially dispatched, along with an Assistant Divisional Officer. However, as calls increased, we increased the number of vehicles and the officers' category. When our team initially arrived, they conducted firefighting and a search operation. We evacuated 39 people from there and transferred them to Niras Hospital. the total number of victims has been transferred to two different hospitals. We've sent teams to different hospitals to gather details. We've just received details from Max Hospital. 38 people are admitted, of whom 18 are dead, 20 are injured." Read more

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: 'This is a terrible tragedy', says BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said, "This is a terrible tragedy. I express my condolences to the families of the deceased. The Delhi Government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The inquiry report will be released in due course. Those found guilty must face the strictest possible punishment. I have also been informed that the building housing this restaurant or hotel did not possess the requisite No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department. The hotel was being operated in blatant violation of building bylaws. A large number of people have sustained injuries. Both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Delhi have expressed their deep concern regarding this incident. The government's immediate priority is to ensure the speedy recovery of the injured. They are being provided with proper medical treatment, and all expenses incurred on their treatment will be borne jointly by the Delhi Government and the Central Government... The Chief Minister of Delhi will also separately announce financial assistance for these families very shortly. Approximately ten of our police personnel were also injured while attempting to save lives and have been admitted to the hospital... We must identify the MCD officials who were posted in that area at the time of its construction and hold them accountable for their negligence..."

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: AAP, Congress allege delay in fire brigade response

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress on Wednesday alleged serious lapses in the fire department's response to the devastating blaze at a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar that claimed at least 21 lives, including those of several foreign nationals.

The fire broke out around 8:30 am at the Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast facility located in a five-storey building in the congested Hauz Rani area of south Delhi.

Former AAP MLA from Malviya Nagar and the party's Delhi president, Somnath Bharti, alleged that the fire brigade reached the spot nearly an hour after the incident was reported.

"The rescue teams were dispatched, but the fire brigade, which should have arrived within a few minutes of the incident, reached almost an hour later, despite the station just three minutes away from the spot. Residents were extremely proactive. Because of their efforts, many lives were saved. We could have saved many more lives had the fire brigade arrived on time," Bharti said.

He further alleged negligence on the part of the government, citing previous fire incidents in the city.

He said, "‌In the last three months, this is the third major fire incident where the government's negligence can be seen. In February, nine people were burned alive, and the fire brigade came, but its equipment did not work. It is criminal negligence on the part of the government," Bharadwaj said.

After visiting the site, Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav also questioned the functioning of the fire department and pointed to alleged violations at the property.

"There is an absolute failure of the fire department in this case, and several other incidents have been reported in the past few days, but the government is not focusing on this. Before this, there were incidents in Palam and Vivek Vihar. There was only permission for 6 rooms, but around 20 rooms were here; there were grave lapses."

Former Delhi chief minister Atishi also expressed grief over the loss of lives and raised concerns about fire safety in the city.

In a post on X in Hindi, she said, The news of 20 lives lost in the Malviya Nagar fire is extremely heartbreaking. My condolences are with all those families who have lost their loved ones. But the question is, who will take responsibility for the repeated fire incidents in Delhi and the deaths of innocent people? Under the BJP government, why has the fire safety system deteriorated to such a deplorable state?”

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live: 17 foreigners among 21 dead in Delhi's Malviya Nagar hotel fire; 8 on ventilator

Seventeen foreign nationals were among the 21 people killed in the devastating fire that broke out at a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday, officials said. Most of the foreign victims are believed to be from Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique and Bangladesh.

The fire erupted at Flourish Stay B&B, a bed-and-breakfast facility in the area, at around 8:48 am. More than 40 people were rescued during the firefighting and evacuation operation. Officials had earlier stated that over 15 foreign nationals were among those who lost their lives in the incident.

Addressing a press conference, Max Healthcare Group Medical Director Dr Sandeep Budhiraja said eight patients injured in the blaze remain in critical condition and are currently on ventilator support.

"Eight patients are on ventilators and undergoing treatment. The majority of them have suffered from asphyxiation injuries, which are caused by smoke inhalation. All of them have minor burns, not deep burns. One patient had burns of more than 25 per cent. He was on a ventilator, so we shifted him to the burn ward at Safdarjung Hospital. Five patients were stable and came with minor injuries," Budhiraja said.

He said several patients sustained fractures after reportedly jumping from the upper floors of the building in an attempt to escape the flames.

"These patients basically had two or three types of injuries: lung injuries, minor burns, and bone injuries. Because many patients claimed they jumped from high buildings, the resulting fractures were long bone fractures and pelvic bone fractures. One patient has a spinal injury and is undergoing neurosurgery," Budhiraja said.

The doctor added that both Indian and foreign nationals were among the victims. He further said that 18 of the deceased included nine men and nine women.

Delhi Malviya Nagar Fire Live Updates: Every possible effort is being made to provide assistance, says MCD Mayor Pravesh Wahi

MCD Mayor Pravesh Wahi said, "A tragic incident has occurred. I am in constant contact with the Commissioner stationed at the site. Our ministers and senior officials from the municipal corporation are present on the ground. Every possible effort is being made to provide assistance. The Prime Minister has also announced a measure of relief assistance for the victims. We have issued strict directives to ensure that such incidents do not recur; officials will conduct continuous and rigorous inspections across all areas. Any negligence regarding safety protocols or hazardous conditions will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and we will take every measure to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. The exact cause has not yet been determined... 47 people sustained injuries, and it has been confirmed that 21 of them have lost their lives..."

Malviya Nagar Fire Live: Jharkhand CM expresses grief over deaths in Delhi hotel fire

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the devastating fire that broke out at a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar area, calling the incident "heartbreaking".

At least 21 people were killed after a massive blaze engulfed a bed-and-breakfast facility operating from a five-storey building in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar earlier in the day.

Reacting to the tragedy, Soren said the incident had left him deeply saddened, according to news agency PTI.

"The heartbreaking news of the loss of lives in the fire at a hotel in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, has left me deeply distressed. May Marang Buru grant peace to the souls of the departed and provide strength to the bereaved families to endure this hour of grief," Soren posted on X.

He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the fire.

Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, also expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

"I am deeply shocked by the loss of lives due to the fire that broke out in a building in Malviya Nagar, Delhi. I extend my heartfelt condolences to those families who have lost their loved ones," Marandi wrote on X.

Delhi fire: At least 10 police personnel have also been admitted to the hospital, comprising five Head Constables and five Constables. They were the first to enter the premises and are currently undergoing treatment, officials said.

Malviya Nagar Fire Live Updates: Police has registered an FIR under the culpable homicide section and other relevant sections of BNS in the Malviya Nagar restaurant fire incident.

Delhi Malviya Nagar Restaurant Fire Live: Congress chief Devendra Yadav alleges safety lapses, claims illegal expansion led to seaths

One of the victim’s family members said, “I have a daughter, Tarini Agarwal, who is 42 years old, and she has two daughters named Angel, who is 20, and her younger daughter, who is 17. We do not know where they are. All three are missing. I also got a call from the police. The hospital administration is not telling us anything.”

Malviya Nagar Fire: Fire brigade and other emergency response teams continue relief operations

Malviya Nagar Fire: Forensic team arrives at the spot

Malviya Nagar Fire: Relatives break down in tears

Malviya Nagar Fire: The Fire Department received the call at 8.50 am. Initially, seven fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. More vehicles were on their way, but eventually, all the required units arrived. As soon as our team reached the site, they immediately rescued 37 people from the building... This is a multi-story building. It consists of a basement, a ground floor, and five upper floors. Based on inquiries made with people at the site, we have gathered that this building does not function as a standalone residential complex. Rather, it appears that most of the occupants were individuals whose known people were being treated in the MAX Hospital located directly across the street. Therefore, it is likely that these individuals were staying here for that specific purpose... Yes, foreign nationals were also among the occupants... The fire was brought under control quite early on—it was contained very quickly. We have now cleared the building, and opened it up for the police, says fire officer AK Malik.

"At around 9:30, we saw there was a very intense fire here. My friend and I were on a scooter at that time, the entire fire was raging, and people were jumping from the building from here and there. We saw about 5 people jumping... One person also broke their leg. The entire road was blocked here. There was a crowd...", says a local resident Om.

Several of those killed are foreigners, mainly from Central Asia and Africa, officials said.

Malviya Nagar Fire: Eyewitness describes panic, people jump out from building

Malviya Nagar Fire: Government response and compensation announced

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from PMNRF. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also expressed grief, stating that all emergency agencies responded quickly and relief efforts are ongoing.

Malviya Nagar Fire: Fire likely started in restaurant, probe on

SDM and DDMA official Jitendra Kumar said emergency response teams were activated immediately after the alert. Preliminary assessment suggests the fire may have originated from the restaurant on the ground floor, though the exact cause has not been confirmed and investigations are ongoing.

Malviya Nagar Fire: Foreign nationals among victims suspected

Many of those who lost their lives are believed to be foreigners. However, authorities have not yet released full identification details, and verification work is currently underway.

Malviya Nagar Fire: Heavy casualties and large-scale rescue operation

At least 21 people have died in the incident, officials said. Rescue teams managed to pull out 37 people from the building and shifted them to hospitals using CATS ambulances. Earlier reports indicated that three people were rescued from the basement before being taken for treatment.

Malviya Nagar Fire: Massive blaze in Lemon Green restaurant

A major fire broke out at a restaurant in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday morning. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received the alert at around 09:45 am and immediately rushed multiple fire tenders to the spot to control the flames and carry out rescue operations.