Room permit, closed exit: How safety gaps sparked another Delhi tragedy in BnB blaze, killing 21

A devastating fire at the Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast in Hauz Rani, south Delhi, claimed at least 21 lives on Wednesday morning. Among the victims were 12 foreign nationals, many of whom were visiting India for medical treatment or were caregivers for patients. The tragedy exposed significant safety lapses and regulatory shortcomings in the capital.

The five-story establishment, which charged between ₹2,000 and ₹3,600 per night, was found to be operating 26 rooms across its floors, basement, and roof. This vastly exceeded the permitted six rooms. Crucially, the B&B lacked a fire exit, a critical safety feature that could have aided occupants during the blaze. The crowded locality also hampered the response of fire tenders.

This incident follows closely on the heels of another tragedy in the adjacent Saidulajab area, where an illegal building collapsed just four days prior, killing six people. The repeated occurrences highlight a pattern of lax enforcement of safety and building regulations in Delhi.

Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and the owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, has been arrested. In total, 47 people were taken to hospitals, with 21 declared dead. The death toll may still rise, according to hospital officials. Initial investigations suggest the fire started in the ground-floor restaurant around 8:30 a.m.

“

Local police staff immediately reached the spot and commenced rescue, evacuation, and relief operations. By 12.12pm, he said that the fire was extinguished and the rescue operation concluded. A total of 47 persons were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, and 21 of them were declared dead.