Malviya Nagar fire highlights: 18 out of 21 killed in Delhi fire were foreigners; building owner detained

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: A case is being registered at Malviya Nagar police station against hotel owner Luvkesh Bajaj. Police said he is absconding, and multiple teams have been deployed to trace him.

Officials are also initiating the process to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him.

The FIR includes a charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a police official told HT.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Residents and eyewitnesses on Wednesday alleged that fire tenders reached the blaze site in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar late, claiming that several lives could have been saved had the response been quicker, even as the Delhi Fire Service rejected the charge.

Anjum, who owns a building opposite the gutted structure, said she first sensed something was wrong when she went to her father's room early in the morning to give him medicine.

"We smelled something, but we thought it might be something else. Then a spark occurred, and the building soon caught fire. Fire brigades were called around 8 am, but they arrived late. If they could have come earlier, casualties could have been prevented," she told news agency PTI.

However, a Delhi Fire Service officer denied any delay in the response.

"We received a call at 8.50 am and immediately rushed seven vehicles to the spot. The rescue operation was also carried out without delay. There was no delay from the fire department," the officer said.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: At least 18 foreign nationals were among the 21 people who died in the deadly fire that broke out in Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, people familiar with the matter told HT.

As per people close to the matter, the victims were identified as nationals from Nigeria, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Somalia, Liberia, and Afghanistan. Read full story here.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Officials said the fire started at Lemon Green Restaurant, but police later clarified that it was a hotel building. The building has a basement, ground floor and five upper floors, according to fire officer A K Malik.

The restaurant was on the ground floor while the rest of the building was being used as a hotel.

"We have cordoned off the entire area. Multiple teams have already reached the site. Teams are checking the number of rooms the hotel had. Every single angle will be probed. Some of the police personnel and fire officials also received injuries," a senior police official told PTI.

According to one eyewitness and a first responder, the basement was locked and he helped the fire team to help open it. "It took more than 20 minutes to open the basement area," he alleged.

The Bangladesh High Commission said five Bangladeshi nationals were injured in the fire incident.

Of them, three are undergoing treatment at Max Hospital, while the remaining two have been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital.

At least 21 people were killed and more than 40 rescued after a massive fire broke out at Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar at around 8:48 am.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: A tourism department official told HT that the establishment where a massive fire broke out in Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday was registered in 2024 and its licence was valid until 2027. The premises were inspected at that time, and no violations were found, as per the official.

“Under the Bed and Breakfast scheme, there is no rule regarding surprise inspections. However, owners are supposed to give details of the guests every 15 days to the local police station. If the owners are not giving it, it is the onus of the local police to get details,” the official said.

The official also said that under the existing BnB scheme, a maximum of six rooms can be rented out. “The owners are also required to stay on the premises. No complaints regarding the establishment had been received by the department,” the official added.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Several people, including a woman holding a child, jumped from different floors of a five-storey building in south Delhi after a major fire broke out on Wednesday.

Residents rushed to place mattresses on the road below in an effort to cushion their fall and save lives.

Witnesses said at least six people leapt from various floors of the building while trying to escape the flames. One of them was a woman carrying a young child.

"There was chaos everywhere. People were trapped and shouting for help from the windows. Some broke open the glass panes and climbed out. We saw several people jumping from different floors," a local resident who joined the rescue effort told news agency PTI.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a fire incident in Delhi.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in a tragic fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Prayers for early recovery of injured," LG Sinha said in a post on X.

Chief minister Abdullah also expressed profound grief over the tragic incident.

He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured, his office said on X.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Eight members of a Gurugram-based family were killed in the fire, including Vivek Agarwal, his mother Premlata and his wife Tarjani, HT has learnt.

Vivek was on the fourth floor when the blaze broke out. He initially made his way to the ground floor, but finding the exit blocked, he moved towards the basement. He called several relatives, telling them he was trapped there and needed help.

His father, Radhe Shyam Aggarwal, had been receiving treatment at Max Hospital for a lung-related illness for the past three to four days.

His condition worsened on Tuesday, due to which family members and three relatives were staying at the hotel.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: MLA Satish Upadhyay said there had been no complaints against the establishment. He said its licence was valid until 2027 and there was no reason for an inspection to be carried out. He added that a restaurant was also operating on the premises.

He claimed that the building had electronic locks that became jammed during the incident.

He identified Lavkesh Bajaj as the owner of the property. The initial cause of the fire is suspected to have been a short circuit, he said.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Wednesday ordered an investigation into the Malviya Nagar hotel fire incident, which killed at least 21 people.

"Orders have been given for investigation in the incident. How old is the building, who is the owner, all these details are being collected. Action will be taken against all those who are responsible for the negligence," MCD's standing committee chairperson Satya Sharma said.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: The rescue operation mounted after a fire broke out in a restuarant in Malviya Nagar has ended and the fire has been completely extinguished according to Delhi Divisional Officer (DO) Ravinder Singh. 21 people were killed in the fire.

Confirming the conclusion of the emergency response, DO Ravinder Singh said, "The rescue operation has been successfully completed. The fire has been completely extinguished. The casualties have been transported to the hospital."

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Former Delhi chief minister and leader of the opposition (LoP) in the Delhi assembly Atishi took to social media to demand accountability from the government.

In a post on X, Atishi wrote:" The news of 20 lives lost in the fire in Malviya Nagar is extremely heartbreaking. I pray to God that the departed souls find peace and the injured recover swiftly. 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?"

"After every tragedy, there are only statements, but accountability is nowhere to be seen. This negligence at the cost of people's lives is no longer acceptable," she added.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Delhi Police has registered an FIR under charges of culpable homicide in connection with the hotel fire tragedy, news agency PTI reported.

Max Hospital in Saket on Wednesday said 18 people were brought dead and 15 others were admitted to the intensive care unit after a major fire at a stay in south Delhi's Hauz Rani area.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday expressed grief over the fire tragedy in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, which claimed 21 lives, while also flagging what he described as "continuous fire incidents" in the national capital.

In a post on X, Kejriwal said he prayed for the victims and expressed concern over the recurring nature of such tragedies in the city.

"I pray to God for the peace of the souls of those who lost their lives in the horrific fire in Malviya Nagar, Delhi. Today, such a massive incident occurred in Malviya Nagar. The tragic news of 20 people losing their lives... The continuous fire incidents in Delhi and the deaths of innocent people are extremely concerning," he wrote.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Grief-stricken relatives, friends and acquaintances gathered at Max Hospital in Saket on Wednesday, desperately looking for information about their loved ones, hours after a major fire at a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar claimed at least 21 lives.

The hospital's waiting area was packed with people checking lists, making repeated phone calls and approaching officials for updates as those affected by the fire 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 told news agency PTI while sobbing.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta has sought an incident report from the district magistrate, HT has learnt.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Max Healthcare revised its earlier statement on the fire incident in Delhi that said that the incident was a result of a cylinder blast. In its new statement, the hospital described the blaze as a “fire incident” only.

According to Max Healthcare, of the 39 patients received at Max Hospital, Saket, 18 were brought dead, 15 are admitted in ICU, including 8 patients on ventilator support and in critical condition.

Five patients with minor injuries were treated and discharged after primary care, while one patient was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital due to severe burns. Officials said the deceased include both Indian and foreign nationals.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: There was little time to react, but local residents quickly stepped in, breaking windows and using blankets to help people escape after a fire swept through a bed-and-breakfast building in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday.

Anita Chaudhary, who lives nearby, said panic spread across the area after several loud explosion-like sounds were heard.

"I heard multiple blast-like sounds and then screams from inside the building. People were shouting for help and some were jumping from windows in a desperate attempt to save themselves. There was chaos all around and residents rushed towards the building to help those trapped inside," she said.

Another witness, Sanjay Goyal, who was among the first to reach the spot, said residents immediately began helping after noticing smoke coming from the building.

"We saw thick smoke billowing from the building and realised people were trapped inside. Residents gathered blankets and quilts and tried to assist those who were trying to come out. We broke glass windows to create escape routes and managed to rescue several people. People inside were continuously screaming for help and everyone present tried to do whatever they could before the arrival of emergency services," he said.

(With PTI inputs)

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: In a statement posted on X, President Droupadi Murmu said, “The news of the deaths of people 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 who have been injured.”

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: A team of forensic experts have arrived at the Malviya Nagar fire site. At least 21 people lost their lives in the fire incident.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: HT has learnt that 10 police personnel, all male, are currently admitted to the AIIMS-Delhi burn department and are in critical condition. Further, three, patients are getting treatment at the AIIMS burns department.

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: A statement from the Max Healthcare indicated that a cylinder blast may have led to the fire incident that killed at least 21 people and injured several others in south Delhi.

“Following a cylinder blast incident, 39 patients were received at the Emergency Department of Max Hospital, Saket Complex,” it said.

The statement added, “Of the 39 patients received, 18 were brought dead, 15 are admitted in ICU, including 8 patients on ventilator and in critical condition. 5 patients with minor injuries were treated and discharged following primary medical care. 1 patient shifted to Safdarjung Hospital due to excessive burns. The deceased include both local and foreign nationals.”

Malviya Nagar fire LIVE: Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday expressed sorrow over the fire tragedy in Delhi's Malviya Nagar, where 21 people have died.

In a post on X, Shah said, "My heart is deeply grieved by the fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi. The local administration is engaged in relief and rescue operations. My condolences are with those who have lost their loved ones in this heart-wrenching tragedy. May God grant strength to the bereaved families to bear this sorrow."

Defence minister Rajnath Singh also expressed grief over the incident, describing it as "heart-wrenching" and extending his condolences to the families of the victims.

"The fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. I pray to God that He grants them the strength to bear this immense sorrow. At the same time, I wish for a speedy recovery for the injured," Singh wrote on X.

Delhi fire news LIVE: Delhi minister Ashish Sood, speaking to news agency ANI, said, “The building owner who is responsible for negligence will be arrested. We will not spare any illegal building and those found guilty.”

He added, “The guilty will not be spared. We are probing whether or not the building obtained NoC. We are finding out if the required permission to run BnB was obtained or not.”