The fire broke out early on Wednesday morning keep thrivingAt least 21 people, including 12 foreign nationals, died at a bed and breakfast in south Delhi’s Hauz Rani, with significant violations by the establishment highlighting the lax regulatory and monitoring regime in the capital, just four days after an illegal building collapsed in nearby Saidulazab, killing six people.
Most of the victims of the fire, one of Delhi’s worst fires, were either people traveling to India for their medical treatment or caregivers of patients who found it convenient to stay in a bed-and-breakfast (B&B), one of the many locations in Hauz Rani, close to one of the city’s main tourist centers. largest private hospital. Due to the crowded area, it became difficult for fire engines to reach the spot. This tragedy was made worse by B&B – who accused people in between ₹2,000 more ₹Rs 3,600 per night for a room – no fire exits, and operating 26 rooms instead of the sanctioned six.
Police registered a case of culpable homicide and arrested BNB owner Lavkesh Bajaj, a resident of neighboring Saket. In addition to the dead, at least 26 people were injured, including some first responders. Many residents of the five-storey BnB – which was operating four rooms in the basement, two on the terrace, five rooms each on four floors and a kitchen and restaurant on the ground floor – jumped to save themselves.
The police said that 21 who died16 had been identified. Investigators and officials revealed the names of only 14 of them. Hospital officials said the death toll could rise, while Foreign Ministry officials said 18 foreign nationals died in the fire.
Details of the cause of the fire are unclear, but police say their preliminary investigation suggests it broke out around 8.30 am in the restaurant on the ground floor.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal said that Police Control Room received Call at 8.48 am. “Local police personnel immediately reached the spot and started rescue, evacuation and relief operations,” he said. He said the fire was extinguished by 12.12 pm and the rescue operation was over. “A total of 47 people were transferred to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, and 21 of them were declared dead.”
of victims identified Revealed, nine were Indians – Shrutika Baranwal, Tarjani Agarwal, Varya Agarwal, Jhaveri Agarwal, Vivek Agarwal, Ashok Agarwal, Kamala Agarwal, Premlata Agarwal and Jivisha Agarwal – and five were foreign nationals – Roland (Liberia), Tshipambachil (Mozambique), Tulkinov Khapumiam, Makhpirat Khon Kochkaraua and Sita Beatrice (Democratic Republic of Congo).
Violation galore
Police said the B&B had permission six roomsThere were three rooms on the first floor and three rooms on the second floor, but at least 25 rooms were operating over five floors, a basement and a terrace.
HT journalists found that the front of the B&B was covered, possibly using panels and toughened glass, and there was only one main entrance and exit, with another entrance and exit to the basement. The fire department said entry and exit to the basement have been closed. The B&B had windows on one side, out of which some guests jumped to save themselves.
Mohammed Riazuddin, 61, who runs a mattress shop, said when he and his son reached the hotel the stairwell was filled with smoke. “We spread mattresses on the ground and asked them (residents) to jump.”
A group of men from Hauz Rani village also helped Delhi Fire Services (DFS) in the rescue operation. Wasim Raja, 34, who works at Max Hospital in Saket, said that as soon as the fire broke out, he and his friends reached the spot and helped the DFS personnel evacuate people from the B&B. “We realized that People could not come down due to smokeAnd many people got trapped because the digital locks installed in the rooms did not open, leaving them trapped inside. I called the team at Max Hospital. Immediately after I informed them they came with a doctor and an ambulance. We went inside the hotel, checked each floor and brought people down one by one. Many people died,” he said.
another tragedy
Wednesday’s fire is the latest in a string of horrific incidents that have rocked the national capital and raised questions over weak regulation, lax enforcement and questionable fire safety rules. Exactly a month ago, a fire broke out in a residential building Vivek ViharMurder of nine people. On March 18, nine people died in a fire in a building in Palam. In May 2024, seven newborns died in a fire in the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital in Vivek Vihar. In February that year, 11 people died in a fire at a paint factory in Alipore.
In May 2022, in one of Delhi’s biggest ever fires, 27 people were killed and dozens were injured when flames engulfed a commercial building in Mundka.
The recurrence of such accidents has again raised concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement of fire safety norms and inspections conducted by civic authorities and other agencies.
This raised questions about the wisdom of two recent policies of the Delhi government – one on bed and breakfasts and the other on fire safety – which proposed a more relaxed arrangement for certification.
On May 27, the government proposed a new fire safety framework under which building owners can obtain fire clearance through private fire auditors – the policy said – listing them instead of relying solely on Delhi Fire Service (DFS) inspection. The government argued that the move would reduce delays, improve efficiency and bring professional expertise to the certification process. But experts say the pressure could compromise the system’s independence.
Last week, the government also announced the draft Bed and Breakfast Policy 2026, which proposed a self-certification regime for homestays and small accommodation units. The draft allows residential properties with up to eight rooms and 16 beds to operate as B&B units, introduces online registration and self-certification, and seeks to bring informal hospitality operators within the regulatory ambit.
In contrast, the 2007 bed and breakfast framework relied more on inspection and departmental scrutiny before approval. According to the policy, only two-thirds of the property could be sub-let, and the owner was required to live on the same property. In case of any suspicion of violation, the Tourism Department may inspect the premises at any time.
Of course, those observations were for naught in the case of Hauz Rani Homestay.
lost life
The victims included Vivek Aggarwal, who died along with seven of his family members. Agarwal lived GurugramAnd his father was admitted to Max Hospital due to a serious lung condition. To avoid the daily commute, he had rented a few rooms in a B&B and relatives visiting his father were also in the hotel at the time of the fire.
“Vivek called me from the basement. He said he was trapped and I should send someone to rescue him. He was on the fourth floor and ran down but could not get out of the building, so he went into the basement. When the fire officials pulled him out I was already outside. We tried to give him CPR, but it seemed like he was not breathing. We have lost eight people in our family today. Some people had arrived this morning only, only For his death. We are devastated,” said Vikram Agarwal, Agarwal’s cousin.
A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial questioning of Bajaj revealed that he had received information about the fire around 8.50 am, following which he reached there and stayed for about half an hour, before leaving before the guests started being evacuated from the building.
According to officials familiar with the matter, other foreign nationals who died in the incident were from Nigeria, Bangladesh, Somalia and afghanistan. The injured include 10 Delhi Police personnel and five foreign nationals. Officials said at least nine people were critical.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the ministry is in touch with embassies and is providing all necessary assistance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Twitter that this is ex-gratia amount ₹Rs 2 lakh will be given to the families of the deceased. “My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wish speedy recovery to the injured. Officials are providing all possible assistance to the affected people. Ex-gratia” ₹The next of kin of each deceased will be given Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF. will be given to the injured ₹50,000,” he wrote.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta asked the South Delhi District Magistrate to submit a report in the matter within three days.
