Malviya Nagar hotel fire death toll rises to 23 (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: The death toll in the devastating Malviya Nagar fire tragedy has risen to 23 after a Bangladeshi national, who suffered critical burn injuries in the blaze, died during treatment in Delhi.
The victim, identified as 38-year-old Rehana Akhtar, had travelled to the national capital with her husband for a kidney transplant procedure. The couple was staying at the Flourish Stay guest house in Hauz Rani when the fire broke out earlier this month.
Despite receiving intensive medical care for several days, Akhtar succumbed to her injuries, adding another name to the list of victims in one of Delhi’s deadliest fire incidents in recent years.
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Authorities have intensified their probe into the tragedy, examining possible violations of fire safety regulations and operational lapses at the guest house.
Police have already arrested guest house owner Lavkesh Bajaj, accountant Jay Mishra and the establishment’s chef in connection with the incident. A Delhi court recently sent Bajaj and Mishra to 12 days of judicial custody as investigations continue.
According to preliminary findings by the Delhi Fire Services, the blaze may have originated near the staircase on the ground floor, possibly due to combustible material stored in the area.
Officials stressed that the exact cause of the fire will only be established after a detailed forensic examination. LPG cylinders were also found during rescue operations, though initial assessments suggest the flames spread rapidly from the staircase section.
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Investigators have uncovered several serious deficiencies in the building’s safety infrastructure. Officials found that windows and glass panels were completely sealed, leaving occupants with no alternative escape route during the emergency.
Authorities also discovered that the basement entrance was locked from the inside, delaying rescue efforts by nearly 10 minutes. Rescue teams eventually managed to save several people trapped in the basement.
The absence of proper ventilation systems and emergency exits is believed to have accelerated the spread of smoke, making evacuation extremely difficult and contributing to the high casualty count.
