Day after Delhi hotel fire kills 21, CM Rekha Gupta meets survivours

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met survivors who were injured in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire at Max Hospital in Saket. The visit came a day after the blaze exposed that the hotel lacked a fire No Objection Certificate.

In Short

• Rekha Gupta visited Max Hospital to meet Malviya Nagar fire victims
• Fire broke out at Flourish Stay B&B lacking fire NoC in congested lane
• 58 people were rescued, 21 dead, including 9 Indians and 12 foreigners

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday visited Max Hospital in Saket to meet those injured in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire tragedy. She spent time with survivors and their families before leaving the facility later in the day.

The Chief Minister's visit came a day after a devastating blaze ripped through a hotel operating without a fire No Objection Certificate (NoC) in a congested lane of south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area.

The fire broke out around 8.30 am at Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani on Wednesday and spread rapidly through the five-storey structure. Officials said the building had a single entry and exit point, sealed windows and a sensor-operated main door, factors that left little scope for escape once flames intensified.

Rescue teams and local residents rushed to the spot and managed to pull out several people trapped inside.

At least 58 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals. Of them, 21 were declared brought dead. The victims included nine Indians and 12 foreign nationals. Eight members of an extended family were among the Indian victims.

Authorities said the hotel was operating without mandatory fire clearance, and preliminary observations point to serious safety violations that may have worsened the scale of the tragedy.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has sought a detailed report from the South Delhi District Magistrate. She said strict action will be taken if lapses are found and those responsible will be held accountable.

"A city-wide crackdown will be launched against illegal properties, unauthorised guest houses and establishments operating in violation of fire safety norms and building by-laws. Such premises will be sealed and prosecuted in accordance with the law," Gupta added.

Delhi Police has arrested Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of the hotel, officials confirmed. A lookout circular had earlier been issued against Bajaj and his wife, following which police teams launched a search operation to trace them.

According to officials, the incident pointed to serious violations of licensing norms by the hotel management. The hotel was permitted to run only six rooms under the Delhi government's bed and breakfast policy but was allegedly operating 25 rooms. Officials also said additional rooms had been constructed in the basement, further compounding safety concerns.

- Ends