Negligence may have contributed to circumstances that triggered the blaze (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: The investigation into the devastating hotel fire in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area has intensified, with Delhi Police arresting a hotel cook and detaining several others in connection with the tragedy that claimed 21 lives earlier this week.
Police identified the arrested accused as 55-year-old Keshav Negi, who worked as a cook at the B&B section of the hotel. Investigators believe negligence on his part may have contributed to the circumstances leading to the deadly blaze.
Officials confirmed that multiple individuals linked to the property are currently being questioned, while more arrests remain possible as the investigation progresses.
The fire broke out at Flourish Stays Bed and Breakfast in Delhi’s Hauz Rani area on May 3. The incident killed 21 people, including a 16-year-old girl and several foreign nationals from countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Iraq, Congo, Mozambique and Liberia.
According to preliminary forensic findings, most victims died due to suffocation rather than burn injuries.
Investigators have uncovered several alleged safety and operational violations at the property. According to the FIR, the hotel was operating 28 rooms despite having permission for only six.
Officials also flagged serious fire safety lapses, including poor ventilation systems and a reportedly locked basement exit that delayed rescue operations. Firefighters were forced to break open the entrance while trying to evacuate trapped guests.
Although fire extinguishers were available inside the building, investigators found they were not used during the emergency.
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Hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj had earlier been arrested and booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Police are examining whether unauthorised construction and negligence worsened the scale of the disaster.
Attention has also shifted to Jay Mishra, an associate and accountant linked to the property, who has been absconding since the incident. Police teams have been deployed, including one sent to Bihar, to trace him.
Forensic experts have collected burnt wiring and electronic equipment samples to determine whether a short circuit, electrical overload or another technical issue triggered the fire.
Police said questioning of staff members and detained individuals is expected to help establish accountability in one of Delhi’s deadliest fire tragedies in recent years.
