• Source:JND

Delhi Hotel Fire: At least 21 people were killed, and many others were struggling for life in the hospitals after a massive fire broke out in a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday. The Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani in Malviya Nagar caught fire around 8.30 am and quickly spread. Rescue workers, including many locals, rushed to the spot to pull out those trapped inside the five-floor, narrow building. There were some foreigners among the victims whose ailing relatives were being treated in hospitals nearby.

About 47 people were rescued and rushed to the hospital, where 21 were declared brought dead, officials said. The death toll could rise, with several people in a critical condition. The preliminary report highlighted several security lapses by the hotel owner.

ALSO READ: Malviya Nagar Fire Tragedy Was Waiting To Happen: How Safety Violations Turned Five-Storey Building Into Death Trap

What Authorities Said On The Tragedy

Jitendra Kumar, SDM of Malviya Nagar, Delhi, said the search and rescue operation ended at 12.12 pm and a total of 47 people have been rescued, with two or three people in critical condition."

Delhi Minister Ashish Sood asserted that the building owner is responsible for the negligence, and he will be arrested. He further stated that action will be taken against all those responsible. Please be patient, the minister added. The police are preparing to file a case under charges of culpable homicide and other relevant sections.

Here Are Major Lapses That Emerged In Media Reports

Violation Of BnB Licence: The hotel was operating under the Delhi government's Bed and Breakfast (BnB) scheme, which was brought by the Centre government during the Commonwealth Games in 2010. Under the BnB scheme, six rooms were permitted. Approval from the fire department, the Municipal Corporation of India (MCD), or the police is not required under the scheme, but the guest house owner violated norms and increased rooms from 6 to 25.

No Fire Safety System: According to the Chief Fire Officer, not a single window was left open for proper ventilation or smoke exhaust. The structure of the building was such that it turned into a chimney when the fire broke out. As soon as a fire breaks out, the closed column immediately pushes dense smoke and intense heat to the upper floors. It was immediately discovered that the building's internal fire safety system was completely lacking.

No NOC On Fire: According to Media reports, the establishment did not possess a mandatory Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) to run a hotel.

Single Stair: The building consists of a basement, a ground floor, and five upper floors, yet there was only a single stair next to the elevator for entry and exit, which also contributed to the tragedy. The stairs were narrow, which also made escape a tough task.

No Ventilation: The building was completely sealed. The front facade was completely covered, and every window, including the bathroom windows, was tightly closed, which caused suffocation leading to the death of several occupants. According to reports, the entire guest house is sealed with glass. When the fire broke out, the smoke spread rapidly as there was no proper ventilation in place. Guests were choked due to smoke.

(With Jagran.com/PTI Inputs)


Also In News