Many shocking details have emerged about the residence situation as a massive fire killed more than 20 people in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday. Witness and survivor accounts alleged major lapses, such as lack of ventilation, at the Flourish B&B, where a massive fire broke out.
A video clip also appeared showing the passengers jumping while local residents were placing mattresses for them.
According to residents, the accommodation was mostly used by people or their families who needed a place to stay while waiting for treatment at the nearby Max Hospital. Follow live updates on Delhi fire here.
“There is no ventilation, and smoke fills the building.”
Giriraj Prajapati, 40, who was present at the scene, said the property lacked ventilation, believing that was the case with most of the surrounding buildings. “People were jumping from the upper floors onto mattresses as smoke filled the entire building,” Prajapati said.
As reported earlier by HT, local residents rushed to rescue those inside the building and provided mattresses for them. According to a witness, the fire broke out on the ground floor and quickly spread to the upper floor.
Narrow fire escape
Minhazul Hasan, a 26-year-old man from Bangladesh who was staying at the property for surgery on his mother, also alleged lack of ventilation. Describing his throat as burning, Hassan said that his brother left the building ten minutes ago, and was in the hospital with his mother.
“But all our passports and belongings are inside, and we fear they may have been burned,” Hassan said. “The building was not well ventilated, and there were no windows, not even in the bathrooms.”
“Only one entry and exit”
One of the local residents who helped after the fire broke out narrated how people rushed to rescue those inside the building. Muhammad Afzal, a 39-year-old lawyer, said there was only one entrance and entrance to the building, which is how people were likely trapped inside.
“In addition, the roof was also closed,” Muhammad Afzal said. “We had to throw bricks at the windows to break them so that people could jump.”
“The building is like a column, closed on all sides.”
Residents claimed that fire engines arrived late at the Malviya Nagar site.
However, DFS Southern District Chief Fire Officer AK Malik said seven fire engines were dispatched after a call was received at 8.50am, and the deployment increased as more details emerged.
In line with what locals described, the fire official also said that the building was closed on all sides and was “like a pillar.”
The chief fire officer added: “It is closed on all four sides. Even in the front, there is a facade, and the windows are closed. In buildings like this, the fire often spreads.”
Permit for six rooms occupancy 24
The Flourish B&B, where the fire broke out, had permission to have only six rooms, but the occupancy rate was four times greater, a source in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) told HT.
The online booking portal for accommodation also shows the availability of 24 rooms. The property is registered under the Silver category of Delhi’s bed and breakfast policy, with a license valid until April 2027.
Meanwhile, a disturbing video has also emerged showing people jumping from the building during the fire amid claims the property lacks adequate ventilation and windows.
