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.
Forensics team members inspect the site following a fire that broke out at a hotel in New Delhi on June 3, 2026. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
NEW DELHI: A fire that ripped through a budget hotel in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, killing 21 people including 11 foreign nationals, has exposed a chain of alleged regulatory violations, illegal construction and glaring fire safety lapses.
The blaze at Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani, a densely packed locality near Max Hospital, broke out around 8.30 am and rapidly engulfed the five-storey building, trapping dozens of occupants inside. Officials said the building had only one entry-exit point, permanently sealed windows and a sensor-operated main door, turning it into a “death trap”.
While 58 people were rescued, 21 died and several others remained in critical condition late Wednesday, raising fears that the toll could increase. In the evening the owner of the building Lavkesh Bajaj was taken into custody by the police.
According to official data, the dead included 10 Indians and 11 foreign nationals, nine from African countries and two from Turkmenistan. Out of the 10 Indians, eight are from one family and are native of Gurugram. Many of the foreigners were staying at the hotel while attending to relatives undergoing treatment at hospitals in the area. Nineteen people remained critical, including 10 foreign nationals on ventilator support.
As the death toll mounted, condolences poured in from across the political spectrum. President Droupadi Murmu described the loss of lives as "extremely heartbreaking", while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. Union home minister Amit Shah termed the incident a "heart-wrenching tragedy" and said rescue and relief efforts were underway.
The tragedy unfolded in one of South Delhi’s busiest medical corridors, where dozens of guesthouses and budget hotels under Bed and Breakfast scheme operate in narrow lanes catering to patients and attendants seeking affordable accommodation near hospitals.
Preliminary probe revealed a series of alleged violations. Sources said the establishment had permission for only six rooms under the Delhi government’s bed-and-breakfast policy but was operating nearly 25 rooms, including some in the basement. The structure was originally only ground-plus-one floor around six to seven years ago, but additional floors were later added without informing authorities.
The building was over 15 metres in height, making a fire safety clearance mandatory. However, Delhi Fire Services said no fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) had ever been issued.
“As far as a fire NOC is concerned, we have not received any reference from either the building authorities or the licensing agency,” Deputy chief fire officer A.K. Malik said.
He said the owner had applied for a trade licence but failed to submit a complete building plan despite repeated directions. The building department was therefore unable to complete the process required for fire clearance.
Malik said the structure’s design itself made evacuation extremely difficult. “Buildings of this nature act like a shaft, where heat and smoke generated by a fire can engulf the entire structure within seconds, making evacuation even more challenging”.
According to officials, a chef had arrived in the morning and switched on electrical equipment when a blast-like sound was reportedly heard. Within minutes, flames spread through the building.
Horrific scenes followed as guests attempted desperate escapes. Witnesses said several people smashed windows and shouted for help through thick smoke. A woman carrying a child reportedly jumped from the third floor after residents spread mattresses below. A foreign couple trapped on the fourth floor broke a windowpane and aluminium grill before trying to climb down using a pipe. Both fell and were rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Locals who became the first responders meanwhile alleged that fire tenders reached the blaze site late, claiming that several lives could have been saved had the response been quicker, even as the Delhi Fire Service rejected the charge.
At nearby hospitals, scenes of anguish unfolded as relatives searched for missing family members. “We can’t recognise them by looking at pictures. Everyone is severely burnt,” said one distraught relative outside Max Hospital.
Hospital data reflected the scale of the disaster. Max Smart Hospital received 39 patients, of whom 18 were brought dead. Fifteen were admitted to intensive care units, including several on ventilator support. AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital and Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital also received victims and rescuers including ten policemen suffering from burns, smoke inhalation and injuries sustained during rescue operations.
Delhi Police have registered an FIR under provisions related to culpable homicide and other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The building owner was Bajaj, while the tourism department licence was issued in the name of Jai Mishra. Police said the hotel was being operated by three partners who are also believed to be associated with other hospitality establishments in Delhi. Prior to Bajaj’s detention police teams conducted raids at multiple locations and issued Lookout circular against him and his wife.
The incident has triggered multiple administrative responses. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta sought a detailed report from the South Delhi district magistrate and warned of strict action if lapses were found. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi ordered a high-level inquiry and asked for a report within three days and will seal unauthorised commercial buildings in the South Zone starting Thursday.
Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directed authorities to launch a month-long citywide inspection drive from June 4 covering hotels, lodges, inns, nursing homes, coaching institutes, restaurants and other vulnerable commercial establishments.
Tourism minister Kapil Mishra however said the government has decided to officially withdraw its Bed and Breakfast policy and review all establishments operating under the scheme.
The focus has now shifted to Press Enclave Road and adjoining areas around Malviya Nagar, where locals estimate that more than 35 hotels and guest houses operate in tightly packed buildings.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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