In a tragic incident, 21 people, including 17 foreign nationals, were killed in a fire at the Flourish Stay Hotel in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar. Among the deceased, most are from Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Bangladesh. More than 37 people have been reported injured.
The blaze, which started around 8:50 AM in the basement of a building housing the Lemon Green Restaurant and Flourish Stay B&B, quickly spread through the five-storey structure, trapping dozens inside. The hotel is located in the basement of the five-storey building in a densely populated area. The fire soon spread to the adjacent Micasa Inn.
The local police and administration rushed to the spot after receiving a distress call and deployed two water engines, two water bowsers, and a quick-response vehicle to bring the situation under control. According to officials, more than 40 people were rescued by Delhi Fire Services, which deployed multiple units, including water tenders, bowsers, and quick-response vehicles.
Thick smoke filled the building, forcing some occupants to jump from upper floors. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with bodies later found in bathrooms, stairways, and under beds. “I saw four to six people breaking the glass and jumping from the building to escape the fire. One person’s leg appeared to have been broken after the fall,” a witness told the media.
Delhi Hotel, Where Fire Killed 21, Had Permission For 6 Rooms. It Operated 25
— NDTV (@ndtv) June 3, 2026
NDTV's @reetksahni speaks to eyewitness pic.twitter.com/hoIe1iNwom
Max Hospital in Saket issued a statement saying that of the 39 patients received at Max Hospital, Saket, 18 were brought dead. 15 patients are currently admitted in ICU, out of which 8 are on ventilator support and in critical condition. 1 patient has been shifted to Safdarjung Hospital due to excessive burns.
The hospital added that 5 patients with minor injuries were treated and discharged following primary medical care. The deceased include both local and foreign nationals.
Police have registered an FIR for culpable homicide, investigating potential safety violations. Preliminary reports suggest the B&B was operating illegally with around 25 rooms despite having approval for only six, and it allegedly lacked a mandatory Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). The building reportedly had a single narrow entry-exit point, which hindered escapes.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, though officials are examining electrical faults or issues in the basement restaurant area. Rescue and firefighting operations have concluded, with the blaze brought under control.
