Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
An illegal restaurant, a locked basement grill and windows, and the absence of adequate evacuation routes have emerged as key areas of concern in the investigation into the devastating fire that killed 21 people at a hotel in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar.
Hours after the blaze tore through Flourish Stay B&B, a multi-storey building, in the congested Hauz Rani area, preliminary findings pointed to a series of suspected safety and regulatory lapses that may have contributed to the high death toll.
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The restaurant operating on the ground floor of the building did not possess the required licence and was allegedly functioning illegally. The building has a basement, ground floor and five upper floors, according to fire officers. Investigators are examining whether the establishment violated safety norms and whether its operations increased the fire risk within the premises.
Authorities are also scrutinising the hotel’s evacuation infrastructure. Officials said the building had only a single entry-exit point for guests, severely restricting escape routes as flames and smoke engulfed the structure. Small windows in the rooms further limited escape options for occupants trapped inside and complicated rescue efforts.
The basement has emerged as another major focus of the probe. Preliminary probe found inadequate access and exit arrangements in the area. Investigators are also examining allegations that a locked grill in the basement obstructed both escape attempts by occupants and rescue operations by emergency responders.
Local residents told officials that three kitchens were being operated in the basement, while the ground floor housed the restaurant. Authorities are verifying whether these facilities had the necessary approvals and complied with fire safety regulations.
Investigators have also found that the hotel may have been operating beyond its permitted capacity. While the property was authorised to run only six rooms under the bed-and-breakfast policy, officials found 25 rooms functioning at the time of the incident.
The hotel’s location is also under scrutiny. Situated in a congested neighbourhood and surrounded by overhead electric cables, the building posed significant challenges for firefighters attempting to control the blaze and evacuate guests from the narrow lane.
Many of those staying at the hotel had travelled to the area for medical treatment or to accompany relatives admitted to nearby hospitals, as the property is located close to a major healthcare facility.
Authorities are now reviewing fire safety clearances, occupancy permissions and compliance records to determine whether regulatory violations contributed to the tragedy. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The incident has once again raised questions about the enforcement of fire safety norms in hotels, guest houses and commercial establishments operating in densely populated parts of the national capital.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
