Delhi Hotel Owner Fled Scene During Deadly Fire
A tragic fire at the Flourish Stay Bed and Breakfast in the Malviya Nagar area of Delhi claimed 21 lives on Wednesday. Investigators are uncovering serious safety violations and alleged negligence by the hotel owner. This incident has shocked the nation, especially after reports emerged that the owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, allegedly fled the scene instead of helping the trapped guests.
According to Delhi Police, the fire broke out around 8:30 AM in the basement of the five-storey building located in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar. The blaze quickly spread to the upper floors while many guests were still asleep or having breakfast. Seventeen fire tenders were deployed to control the flames, and around 58 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals.
During police interrogation, Lavkesh Bajaj admitted that he drove past the burning hotel without stopping because he was “afraid.” Instead of returning home, he reportedly wandered around the city after the incident. He was arrested hours later, and police are now verifying his statements while seeking further custody for investigation.
Authorities revealed that Bajaj had obtained a Bed and Breakfast license under the government’s B&B scheme, which permits only six rooms. However, investigators found that the property was allegedly operating nearly 25 rooms, including several in the basement. The police also stated that the building had only one entry and exit point, sealed windows, and a sensor-operated main door, all of which severely hindered evacuation efforts during the fire.
The police are also searching for hotel manager Jai Mishra, who reportedly handled the property’s operations and licensing. Officials are investigating whether the establishment followed mandatory fire safety norms under the Incredible India B&B framework introduced in 2007.
Among the victims were 12 foreign nationals and eight members of a family from Gurugram who had traveled to Delhi to visit a hospitalized relative. This tragedy has once again raised concerns about fire safety compliance in Delhi’s hotels and guesthouses, prompting many to demand stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
