New Delhi: Shocking details have emerged in the devastating fire that claimed 21 lives at the Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area. Authorities have arrested the property’s owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, who allegedly admitted during questioning that he drove past the burning building without stopping to help rescue trapped guests.
The massive blaze ripped through the five-storey establishment in Hauz Rani on Wednesday morning, leaving behind one of the capital’s deadliest fire tragedies in recent years.
Owner Allegedly Fled Scene Instead Of Helping Victims
According to investigators, Bajaj confessed during a late-night interrogation that he chose not to stop when he saw the hotel engulfed in flames.
Police sources said Bajaj told officers that he panicked and fled the area out of fear while guests desperately tried to escape the rapidly spreading fire.
After leaving the scene, he reportedly did not return home but spent hours wandering around the city before being tracked down and arrested.
The Delhi Police are currently verifying all statements made by Bajaj and are expected to seek a five-day custodial remand when he is produced before a court.
Building Operated Beyond Permitted Capacity
Investigators have uncovered serious irregularities in the operation of the property.
Bajaj purchased the building in 2022 from a previous owner identified as Ahluwalia. The structure had earlier functioned as a Khadi store and was reportedly already in poor condition when it was acquired.
During questioning, Bajaj admitted that the property was licensed under the government’s Bed and Breakfast (B&B) scheme, which permits a maximum of six guest rooms.
However, police allege that the establishment was operating nearly 25 rooms, including accommodations in the basement, far exceeding the approved limit.
Officials are now examining whether the property violated multiple licensing and safety regulations.
Hotel Manager Missing, Police Launch Search
Although Bajaj remains the sole owner of the property, he claimed that day-to-day operations had been handed over to a manager identified as Jai Mishra.
According to Bajaj, several operational licenses were issued in Mishra’s name.
Police teams have launched a search operation to locate Mishra, who remains untraceable following the tragedy.
Major Safety Lapses Under Scanner
The fire has once again raised questions about enforcement of safety regulations in Delhi’s hospitality sector.
The Bed and Breakfast scheme, introduced under the Incredible India B&B framework in 2007, was designed to encourage affordable and safe accommodation in residential areas.
Under the guidelines, properties must:
- Operate a maximum of six double-bed rooms
- Ensure the owner resides on the premises
- Maintain the residential character of the property
- Comply with fire safety and ventilation requirements
- Meet basic infrastructure standards
Preliminary investigations suggest several of these conditions may have been violated.
Officials have found that the building reportedly had only one entry and exit point, severely limiting evacuation options during the emergency.
Investigators also discovered that many windows had been sealed and the main entrance was equipped with a sensor-operated door, creating additional obstacles for guests attempting to escape.
Fire Started In Basement, Spread Rapidly
The fire broke out at approximately 8:30 am in the basement before quickly spreading through the upper floors.
Many guests were reportedly asleep when the blaze erupted, leaving them with little time to react.
A massive rescue operation was launched involving 17 fire tenders. Firefighters managed to rescue at least 58 people and shift them to nearby Max Hospital.
Despite rescue efforts, 21 victims were declared dead on arrival.
A viral video circulating on social media captured a foreign national standing on the rooftop of the burning building, desperately clutching a pole while searching for a way to escape.
Twelve Foreign Nationals Among Victims
Authorities have confirmed that 12 of the 21 victims were foreign nationals.
Among the deceased were eight members of a family from Gurugram who had travelled to Delhi to visit an ailing relative undergoing treatment at Max Hospital.
Family Visit Ends In Tragedy
Vivek Agarwal, a chartered accountant from Gurugram’s Sector 46, had come to Delhi to visit his 80-year-old father, Radhe Shyam Agarwal, who remains admitted to hospital.
Accompanying him were his wife Tarjani Agarwal, daughters Jivisha and Varya, along with four other relatives.
The family had booked two rooms at Flourish Stay and were reportedly having breakfast when the fire broke out.
All eight family members lost their lives in the blaze.
The sole surviving member of the family is Radhe Shyam Agarwal, who remains hospitalised and was unaware of the tragedy when the fire occurred.
Questions Over Regulatory Oversight
The incident has sparked fresh concerns over fire safety compliance and regulatory monitoring of guest houses and B&B establishments operating in residential areas across Delhi.
Investigators are examining whether safety violations and administrative lapses contributed to the scale of the disaster.
The findings of the ongoing probe are expected to determine whether additional criminal charges will be filed against those responsible for operating the property.