A fire at a Delhi hotel killed at least 21 people and injured several others on Wednesday morning. The fire started in a basement of restaurant and spread quickly, trapping guests inside. Authorities are now investigating possible safety violations.

A devastating fire at Delhi hotel in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning killed at least 21 people, including foreign nationals, and left several others injured. More than 40 people were rescued as firefighters battled the blaze that spread rapidly through the building and into a neighboring hotel. The fire reportedly started around 8:50 a.m. in the restaurant area located in the basement of the five-storey Flourish Stay hotel. Within minutes, flames consumed large sections of the building and spread to the nearby Micasa Inn.

A Morning Turned Into a Nightmare

Most guests were reportedly asleep when the fire broke out. Witnesses described scenes of panic as people smashed windows and jumped from upper floors to escape the smoke and flames. Videos from the scene showed mattresses being placed on the ground to soften the impact for those forced to jump.

"I saw four to six people breaking the glass and jumping from the building to save themselves," a witness told reporters.  Emergency teams, including Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, ambulance services, and disaster response officials, rushed to the area. Eight fire tenders were deployed, and the fire was eventually brought under control.

Was the Hotel Operating Beyond Its Approval

According to reports, Flourish Stay had been licensed under the Bed and Breakfast (B&B) scheme, which allegedly permitted only six rooms. However, authorities believe the property was operating nearly 25 rooms, including some in the basement.

Officials are also investigating whether the hotel had obtained the required fire safety clearance, known as a Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). Adding to concerns, the building reportedly had only one entry and exit point, a major safety risk during emergencies.

The hotel was accommodating over 40 guests, many of whom had reportedly traveled to Delhi for medical treatment. Some reports suggest that several victims were foreign nationals, with former MLA Somnath Bharti claiming that many were from South Africa.

A Chef's Escape From the Flames

Kesar Singh, a chef working at neighboring Micasa Inn, recalled hearing a loud blast while making tea on an electric stove.

"When I came outside, I saw the entire hotel on fire. I somehow managed to escape," he said.

Leaders Express Grief and Support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "tragic" and announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also expressed condolences and said all affected families would receive medical and administrative support. She praised emergency teams for their quick response, which helped rescue dozens of people.

Tragedy brings Tougher Safety Checks

As Business Fortune observes, Investigations have now started, and officials are looking into whether there were any safety failures, license issues, or gaps in fire safety arrangements at the hotel. What they find could lead to stricter execution of safety rules for hotels across Delhi and other big cities. This is especially important in crowded areas, where similar dangers could exist if rules are not properly followed.