Licencing, operational, safety compliance irregularities: Delhi fire probe reveals

The June 3 fire at Flourish Stays B&B in Hauz Rani became one of Delhi's deadliest hotel blazes, with the death toll rising from 21 to 22 after a Nigerian victim died from burn injuries.

In Short

• Accountant allegedly controlled operations, compliance and key hotel records
• Delayed emergency alert may have worsened scale of tragedy, finds probe
• Staff allegedly fled without warning guests or making an emergency call

Investigators probing the devastating fire at a bed-and-breakfast in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar last week have uncovered what they describe as significant irregularities in the establishment's licencing, day-to-day operations and fire safety compliance, as the investigation into the tragedy that claimed 22 lives gathers pace.

The June 3 blaze at Flourish Stays B&B in Hauz Rani is among the deadliest hotel fires reported in the national capital in recent years. The initial death toll was 21, but it rose to 22 after a Nigerian national, identified as Okale, succumbed to burn injuries during treatment at Safdarjung Hospital days after the incident.

Police have arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and cook Keshav Negi, while accountant Jay Mishra recently surrendered before a Delhi court and was taken into police custody.

Investigators are examining the roles of all three, along with other staff members linked to the establishment.

A key development in the probe concerns the hotel's licencing. During questioning, Mishra allegedly told investigators that he had provided his personal documents to obtain the bed-and-breakfast licence at Bajaj's request, even though the application process was handled by the owner.

The disclosure has prompted police to scrutinise how the licence was issued in the name of an employee despite Bajaj allegedly owning both the building and the business.

Officers are now examining whether irregularities or collusion played any role in the approval process.

Investigators have also found that Mishra, a long-time associate of Bajaj, exercised substantial control over the hotel's operations.

Police said he supervised staff deployment, maintained guest-related records, handled administrative work and oversaw compliance and licensing-related documentation.

Mishra reportedly claimed that guest registers, identity records and other documents were destroyed in the fire, a statement that investigators are independently verifying through records obtained from government departments and online platforms.

LAPSES THAT LED TO FIRE

The probe has already revealed a series of alleged safety lapses. According to police, the fire originated after a fryer containing oil was left switched on while the cook prepared tea for himself.

Negi allegedly admitted that he forgot the fryer was running. As the oil overheated and ignited, flames spread rapidly through the building, fuelled by combustible materials, including stored cartons.

Investigators are particularly concerned about a delay of nearly 30 minutes before the first emergency call was made.

Police believe crucial time was lost as staff attempted to deal with the blaze themselves.

Negi allegedly fled after failing to control the fire and did not immediately alert guests, neighbours or emergency services.

Another employee escaped from the terrace, while hotel manager Rupesh alias Rakesh remains absconding.

Preliminary findings have also raised questions about the building's design and compliance. Police suspect the property may have been constructed without all required approvals.

The extensive use of wood and plastic decor, combined with a single entry-exit route that was reportedly filled with smoke, may have trapped occupants inside.

Authorities have further found that the hotel was operating 25 rooms despite permission for only six.

Investigators are now considering seeking assistance from IIT Delhi to conduct a structural and fire-propagation study to determine how the blaze spread so rapidly and whether architectural deficiencies worsened the disaster.

The probe continues, with police examining possible negligence, fire safety violations, unauthorised expansion and accountability for one of Delhi's worst hotel fire tragedies in recent memory.

- Ends
With PTI inputs