NEW DELHI: At least 21 people were killed and several others injured after a massive fire broke out at a restaurant in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning.
The blaze erupted at Flourish Stay B&B, which had only single entry-exit route.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched involving the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), police, and ambulance services.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
The Delhi Fire Service received a call about the fire at around 8.50 am and rushed multiple fire tenders to the spot.
According to officials, three people were rescued from the basement of the restaurant and shifted to hospital through CATS ambulances. Several other occupants were evacuated from the building during the operation.
AIIMS officials said multiple patients were admitted following the incident, including critically injured persons.
"We received 13 patients, including 3 patients who fell from a height and are in a critical condition, and 10 persons who were rescued by Delhi Police, said an AIIMS official.
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Check for live updates on Delhi Malviya Nagar Restaurant FireResidents describe scenes of panicLocal resident Sher Khan said people attempted to save those trapped inside as the fire intensified.
"I was going to the shop in the morning. There was a small fire here at first, then it kept increasing. As the fire increased, it seemed as if there was no way to jump from here. People spread mattresses, and some from the 3rd floor jumped on it with a little kid. She was saying that she fractured her leg. The public made a lot of effort. However, the situation becomes intense as time passes."
Eyewitness Wasim Raj from Hauz Rani village said locals quickly arranged mattresses to help people escape from the upper floors.
"The fire broke out at about 8.50 am. We rushed to the spot to see that the entire building was on fire. There is a mattress shop at the corner from where we took out mattresses and laid them on the road. People started to jump out of the building from second and third floor. The fire fighting team had reached the spot immediately and started rescue work."
Another resident, Om, said people were seen jumping from upper floors to escape the flames.
"At around 9.30am, 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."
'Unrecognisable; everyone severely burnt'Grief-stricken relatives, friends and acquaintances crowded the waiting area of Max Hospital in Saket on Wednesday, anxiously searching for their loved ones hours after a massive fire at a hotel in south Delhi’s Delhi Malviya Nagar area left at least 21 people dead.
The hospital’s waiting area was filled with people scanning lists, making frantic phone calls and seeking information from officials as victims of the blaze were brought in for treatment and identification.
“We can’t recognise them by looking at pictures; it’s unrecognisable. Everyone is severely burnt,” (Photo se pehchaan me nahi aa rha koi, sab jale hue hain) one of the relatives said while sobbing.
Among them was Namit Goel, who said six of his relatives were among those caught in the fire. While four bodies had been identified, two were yet to be identified, leaving the family in agonising uncertainty.
“Four bodies are in Max Saket mortuary and two bodies are in another hospital. We are trying to locate them,” he said.
According to family members, the six relatives had come from Gurugram for medical treatment and were staying at the hotel when the fire broke out.
Elsewhere in the hospital, Vivek was searching for his 25-year-old friend Sujita, who was believed to be among those affected by the blaze.
He said police officials showed him photographs of victims for identification, but he could not find her among them.
“Can’t recognise her, her phone is also not traceable,” he said.
Death toll: 21While initial reports spoke of a handful of casualties, Delhi Police later confirmed that 20 people had lost their lives in the incident. Subsequent updates put the death toll at 21.
According to PTI, many of those killed are foreigners.
Officials said several injured persons have been admitted to hospitals and are undergoing treatment.
Rescue efforts underwayFire Officer AK Malik said firefighters rescued dozens of people from the building.
"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," Malik added further.
MLA says all agencies mobilisedLocal MLA Satish Upadhyay said authorities activated emergency response systems immediately after receiving information about the fire.
"This is an unfortunate incident. It happened at around 9:00 am. As soon as we were informed about the fire, our immediate response was to activate the entire system. We contacted the Disaster Management team, the District Magistrate (DM) of our area, the Station House Officer (SHO), the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Municipal Corporation (MCD).
"We mobilised all the concerned authorities, and I personally came to the spot as well. The exact cause of the fire will be known only after a proper investigation. The local residents have also helped a lot during this difficult time. More detailed information will be available later. We are gathering complete details from the administrative officials," he added further.
AAP leader alleges delay in fire brigade responseAAP leader Somnath Bharti said several people had been rescued but claimed the fire brigade reached the spot with a delay.
"A total of 27 people have been rescued so far. Out of them, I believe seven were found dead. The exact status will be known once we receive confirmation from the hospital as to whether anyone could be revived or not. Overall, the situation has been extremely tragic and horrific. Some people are still trapped in the upper room," he said.
This building was operating as a hotel, it was previously a Khadi Gram building. Two more bodies have been recovered. It is a deeply distressing day for all of us. The most unfortunate aspect is that the fire brigade arrived nearly an hour later, at least 50 minutes after the incident was reported."
"Everyone worked tirelessly during the rescue operation, but there was no alternative exit route, so people had very limited means of escape. Seven people were rescued by breaking through the basement area. The manner in which this incident occurred is extremely painful and heartbreaking," he added further.
Delhi Police has registered an FIR under the culpable homicide section and other relevant sections of BNS.
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