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Delhi restaurant fire: At least 21 killed in blaze at Malviya Nagar eatery
At least 21 people were killed after a fire broke out at a restaurant in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday.
At least 21 people were killed after a fire broke out at the Lemon Green Restaurant in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday, prompting a major rescue operation by the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), according to Delhi Police.
The blaze at the Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani in Malviya Nagar started around 8.30 am and quickly spread, catching everybody unawares. Rescue workers, including many locals, rushed to the spot to pull out those trapped inside the five-floor narrow building.
About 40 people were rescued and rushed to hospital where 21 were declared brought dead, officials said. The death toll could rise with several of the injured in a critical condition.
Track latest updates on Delhi Malviya Nagar fire here
Several people jumped out of the burning building to escape the flames, witnesses said, with residents dragging mattresses from a nearby store to try to break their fall.
"People spread mattresses, and a woman from the third floor jumped on it with a little kid," witness Sher Khan said.
President, PM offer condolences
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta were among those who expressed their condolences.
"The news of the loss of lives in the fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of those injured," Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi
The prime minister described the loss of lives as tragic. "My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," Modi said in a post on X.
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta said the Delhi government was closely monitoring the situation. In a post on X, Gupta said emergency response teams from the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and CATS Ambulance Services were mobilised immediately after information about the incident was received. She said their swift response helped rescue and evacuate several people from the affected premises.
The chief minister also conveyed her condolences to the families of those killed and said all necessary medical assistance and support were being extended to the affected families. "In this hour of grief, Delhi Government stands firmly with the affected families. We remain committed to providing every possible support to those impacted by this tragedy," she said.
Earlier in the day, DFS officials said 11 people had been rescued from the building and shifted to hospitals by Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) ambulances. However, Delhi Police later confirmed that at least 10 people had died in the incident.
During the operation, firefighters entered the basement of the restaurant and rescued people trapped inside. Divisional Officer Ravinder from the Nehru Place fire station was present at the spot and supervised the rescue efforts.
"A fire broke out at a restaurant in Malviya Nagar. Delhi Fire Services received a call and immediately dispatched firefighting units to the scene. Rescue operations were carried out and the injured were shifted to hospitals," an official said.
Also read: How locals helped people escape fire in Delhi's Malviya Nagar eatery
The exact number of people present inside the restaurant when the fire broke out was not immediately known. Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations while assessing the extent of the damage.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Police and fire department officials have launched an investigation to determine how the blaze started and whether any fire safety violations or lapses contributed to the tragedy.
