Illegal Rooms, Blocked Escape Routes: Safety Violations Behind Delhi B&B Fire That Killed 21

A devastating fire at a bed-and-breakfast (B&B) in south Delhi’s Hauz Rani on Wednesday claimed at least 21 lives, including 12 foreign nationals, exposing glaring regulatory failures and safety violations just days after a nearby building collapse in Saidulajab killed six people.

The blaze erupted at Flourish Stay, a five-storey accommodation facility located near one of Delhi’s largest private hospitals. Most of the victims were patients visiting the capital for medical treatment or their caregivers. At least 26 others, including first responders, were injured.

Investigators found that the establishment was operating far beyond its permitted capacity. While licensed for only six rooms, the B&B was running at least 25 rooms across multiple floors, a basement and rooftop. Authorities said the building lacked a designated fire exit, and smoke-filled stairwells trapped many occupants inside.

Police have arrested the owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, a resident of Saket, and registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire began in the ground-floor restaurant around 8.30 am.

According to police, 47 people were rescued and taken to hospitals, but 21 succumbed to their injuries. Several guests reportedly jumped from windows to escape the flames, while local residents and volunteers assisted rescue teams by helping evacuate those trapped inside.

Officials said the B&B’s façade had been enclosed with panels and glass, leaving limited escape routes. Witnesses also claimed that some guests were unable to flee because electronic door locks malfunctioned during the fire.

The tragedy has reignited concerns over Delhi’s recurring fire disasters and the weak enforcement of safety regulations. In recent years, major fires in Vivek Vihar, Palam, Alipur and Mundka have claimed dozens of lives, repeatedly raising questions about compliance checks and accountability.

The incident has also cast a spotlight on the Delhi government’s recent proposals to ease regulatory requirements. A new draft fire safety framework would allow private auditors to certify buildings, while the proposed Bed and Breakfast Policy 2026 seeks to introduce self-certification and simplified registration for small accommodation units.

Critics argue that the Hauz Rani tragedy demonstrates the risks of relying on self-regulation when existing oversight mechanisms have already failed to detect serious violations.

Among those killed was Gurugram resident Vivek Aggarwal, who had rented rooms at the B&B while his father received treatment at a nearby hospital. Eight members of his family died in the fire.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to the families of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for those injured. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed the district administration to submit a detailed report on the incident within three days.