New Delhi, June 3: The death toll in the devastating fire at a hotel in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area has risen to 21, while more than 40 people were rescued and shifted to hospitals, according to officials involved in the rescue operation.
Firefighters and police personnel completed search and rescue operations after bringing the blaze under control. Authorities said all occupants trapped inside the building had been evacuated, while several injured persons continue to receive treatment at various hospitals across the capital.
Preliminary findings indicate that the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit, though officials said the exact cause will be established only after a detailed forensic investigation.
As the focus shifts from rescue efforts to accountability, investigators are examining whether safety norms, building regulations and fire safety requirements were violated at the establishment.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as flames rapidly engulfed the multi-storey building. Several guests were forced to jump from upper floors in an attempt to save their lives. Local residents reportedly placed mattresses and quilts outside the building to cushion those escaping through windows and balconies.
According to witnesses, thick smoke quickly filled the hotel, leaving many occupants with little opportunity to reach exits. Several victims are believed to have died due to suffocation, while others sustained fatal burn injuries.
Questions have also emerged regarding the hotel’s structural compliance and occupancy permissions. Information being examined by authorities suggests the property may have been operating significantly more rooms than originally permitted under its licensing framework. Investigators are expected to verify whether any unauthorized additions or alterations were made to the building.
The incident has once again brought attention to fire safety compliance, emergency evacuation mechanisms and enforcement of building regulations in commercial establishments across Delhi.
Senior officers of Delhi Police, the Delhi Fire Service and forensic teams remained at the site throughout the day to collect evidence and document the scene. Crime scene investigators are also examining the building’s electrical systems, emergency exits and fire safety infrastructure.
Officials said a detailed inquiry will determine whether negligence, regulatory violations or lapses in enforcement contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
The fire is among the deadliest hotel-related incidents reported in the national capital in recent years and has renewed calls for stricter inspections and enforcement of safety standards in hospitality establishments.
Authorities have stated that responsibility will be fixed after completion of the investigation, while families of the victims await answers over the circumstances that led to the loss of 21 lives.
