In a heart-wrenching incident in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, a devastating fire at a multi-storey building claimed the lives of 21 individuals, prompting authorities to take swift action. Lovkesh Bajaj, the owner of the establishment known as Flourish Stays, was apprehended by the Delhi Police on Wednesday following the tragedy, which unfolded in the early hours of the day.
The fire erupted at the ground-plus-five-storey bed-and-breakfast venue, situated in a narrow lane directly opposite the Max Hospital in Saket. Tragically, among the deceased were ten Indian nationals, nine African visitors, and two individuals from Turkmenistan. Many of the foreign victims were in India for medical treatment or accompanying a patient, highlighting the vulnerability of those seeking healthcare abroad.
This incident marks just one of two severe tragedies that have occurred in South Delhi this week, raising alarming concerns about building safety standards and enforcement of regulations in the capital. Reports indicate that the establishment had 26 rooms—significantly exceeding the permissible limit of six as dictated by safety regulations. Eyewitnesses suggest that during the fire, most of the rooms were occupied, showing a blatant disregard for safety protocols.
Additional investigations revealed that the building only had a single entry and exit point, a grave concern in emergencies. Moreover, it reportedly lacked a No-Objection Certificate from the Fire Department, a critical oversight that contributed to the catastrophic outcome. In the wake of this incident, police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Bajaj, charging him with culpable homicide and other serious offenses.
This tragic event has ignited discussions about the overall safety of buildings in Delhi, with many citizens expressing frustration over the government’s delayed response to such preventable disasters. Activists and community leaders are calling for stronger enforcement of safety regulations to ensure similar incidents do not occur in the future. As the investigation unfolds, it serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for reform in building safety standards across the city.
