21 Dead, 20 Injured in Delhi Guest House Fire

A devastating fire swept through a guest house in Malviya Nagar, claiming 21 lives and injuring 20. The blaze, possibly ignited by a gas cylinder or air conditioner, spread rapidly through the building. Many victims succumbed to smoke inhalation. Authorities are investigating the incident and have arrested the owner. Rescue efforts faced challenges due to narrow lanes.

A commercial LPG cylinder in a basement kitchen or a faulty air-conditioner unit may have triggered the blaze that killed 21 people and injured 20 others at a guest house in Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday, TOI reported on Thursday, citing preliminary findings.

Police have arrested the property's owner and launched an investigation into possible safety violations.

The fire broke out at Flourish Stay Bed & Breakfast in the Hauz Rani locality, where around 50 guests were staying. According to the report, several witnesses reported hearing a blast shortly before flames engulfed the building.

The blaze spread rapidly through the structure, trapping guests on upper floors as smoke filled the premises. Several occupants jumped from windows in a desperate attempt to escape. Firefighters, police personnel and local residents rescued at least 48 people and shifted them to nearby hospitals.

A majority of the victims are suspected to have died from smoke inhalation, while others suffered severe burns and respiratory injuries. Post-mortem reports are awaited.

Delhi Police have registered an FIR for culpable homicide and arrested the facility's owner, Lavkesh Bajaj. A look-out circular had earlier been issued against Bajaj and his wife.

The report added that investigators are examining whether the fire originated from a commercial LPG cylinder stored in the basement kitchen or from an air-conditioning unit at a restaurant operating on the ground floor. Multiple cylinders were recovered from the basement during the rescue operation, and forensic teams are analysing evidence collected from the site.

Emergency responders faced challenges reaching the property because of narrow lanes and congestion in the area. Residents helped clear access routes for fire tenders and ambulances as rescue efforts continued for several hours.

Among the dead are at least nine foreign nationals, many of whom had reportedly travelled to India for medical treatment. The victims include citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Mozambique and Liberia.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and announced a city-wide drive against unauthorised guest houses and establishments found violating fire safety norms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured.