New Delhi, June 3, 2026 : A devastating fire ripped through a hotel building in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people and injuring several others in one of the capital’s deadliest fire tragedies in recent years. Authorities fear the death toll may rise further as a number of victims remain in critical condition.
The blaze erupted at around 8:30 AM at Flourish Stay B&B, located in the congested Hauz Rani locality of Malviya Nagar. The fire spread rapidly through the narrow five-storey structure, leaving many occupants trapped inside and triggering a massive rescue operation involving the Delhi Fire Services, police personnel, disaster response teams and local residents.
Officials said approximately 40 people were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals, while 21 victims were declared dead. Several injured persons continue to battle for their lives.
Preliminary investigations have revealed serious safety concerns. According to police officials, the establishment had permission for only six rooms under the Delhi Government’s Bed and Breakfast policy but was allegedly operating 25 rooms, including accommodations in the basement. Authorities are also examining the validity of the fire safety clearance and whether the building complied with mandatory safety norms.
Officials noted that the hotel reportedly had only one entry and exit point, a factor believed to have significantly hampered evacuation efforts during the emergency.
Among those killed were several foreign nationals, particularly visitors from Central Asian and African countries who had been staying at the hotel while attending to relatives undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals, including Max Hospital.
Eyewitness accounts described scenes of panic and desperation as thick smoke engulfed the building and flames spread rapidly through the structure. Residents and rescue workers broke windows to reach trapped occupants, while locals improvised rescue measures to save lives.
In one dramatic rescue, a woman carrying a young child reportedly jumped from the third floor after residents placed mattresses on the ground below to cushion the fall. Both survived, although the woman sustained injuries.
Local residents also assisted emergency responders by helping gain access to locked sections of the building, including the basement where several victims were reportedly trapped.
Medical facilities across the area received dozens of casualties. Max Hospital stated that it received 39 patients, including 18 who were brought dead. Fifteen patients were admitted to intensive care units, with several requiring ventilator support. Injuries ranged from severe smoke inhalation and burn injuries to fractures sustained during rescue attempts.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) also treated multiple injured persons, including individuals hurt while participating in rescue efforts.
Authorities have sealed the area and launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire, safety compliance, occupancy violations and possible lapses in regulatory oversight. Officials said every aspect of the tragedy would be thoroughly examined.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the families of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for those injured.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also conveyed condolences and urged authorities to ensure timely compensation, medical assistance and support for the affected families.
As rescue and identification efforts continue, the tragedy has once again raised serious questions about fire safety enforcement, unauthorized construction and emergency preparedness in densely populated urban areas.
