New Delhi:At least 21 people were killed and several others injured after a massive fire broke out at a restaurant-cum-hotel building in Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday morning. Sources said a large number of the guests staying at the hotel were foreign nationals who had come to India for medical treatment.
The blaze erupted at theLemon Green Restaurant, located in the basement of the five-storey Florist Inn Hotel in Hauz Rani, prompting a major rescue operation by the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), police, and district authorities.
According to officials, a call regarding the fire was received at 9:45 am, following which multiple fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Dense smoke quickly engulfed the building, trapping dozens of people inside.
The rescued persons were shifted to nearby hospitals in CATS ambulances for treatment.
Sources said the hotel had around 25 rooms and was accommodating nearly 40 guests at the time of the incident. Most of them were foreign nationals who had travelled to Delhi for medical care.
Jitendra Kumar, SDM, DDMA, South District, said authorities immediately activated emergency response mechanisms after receiving information about the incident.
"As soon as I received information about the incident this morning, we activated our DDMA cell. All EOCs were informed and instructed to reach the spot immediately. I was supposed to leave for a training program myself, but I postponed it and came here instead. Upon arriving, we learned that a restaurant was operating on the ground floor of the building. The exact cause of the fire is still not known, but it is most likely that the blaze originated from the restaurant. However, we do not yet have complete details. Four bodies have been recovered and sent to the hospital. We are awaiting official confirmation regarding their condition and identities. Additionally, seven to eight other people, including those who sustained injuries, have also been taken to the hospital for treatment," he told PTI.
Officials said firefighting and search operations continued for several hours amid challenging conditions inside the building.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Malviya Nagar fire tragedy in Delhi and announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims and their families.
"The loss of lives due to a fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi is tragic. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
