New Delhi: A family trip to visit an ailing father ended in unimaginable tragedy after eight members of a Gurugram-based family lost their lives in the devastating fire that tore through a bed-and-breakfast establishment in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning.
Among the victims was Vivek Agarwal, a chartered accountant from Sector 46 in Gurugram, who had travelled to Delhi with his family to meet his 80-year-old father, Radhe Shyam Agarwal, currently undergoing treatment at Max Hospital.
Vivek’s wife, Tarjani Agarwal, their two daughters, Jivisha and Varya, and four other relatives had accompanied him on the trip. The family had booked two rooms at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast property located in the Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar.
Family Was Having Breakfast When Fire Broke Out
According to reports, the family was having breakfast at the property’s restaurant when the fire erupted. Within minutes, flames and thick smoke spread through the building, leaving many guests trapped.
All eight members of the family died in the blaze.
The tragedy has left Radhe Shyam Agarwal as the sole surviving member of his immediate family. While he continues to receive treatment in hospital, he now faces the heartbreaking loss of his son, daughter-in-law, granddaughters and other close relatives.
Relatives Arrive To Claim Bodies
As news of the tragedy spread, other family members rushed to Delhi and reached the hospital to complete formalities and claim the bodies of the deceased.
However, authorities informed them that the remains would be handed over only after DNA samples were collected and identification procedures were completed.
Back in Gurugram, the family’s residence in Sector 46 remained locked and silent. Neighbours and residents of the locality expressed shock and grief over the devastating loss suffered by the Agarwal family.
21 Dead In One Of Delhi’s Worst Hotel Fires In Recent Years
The fire broke out at around 8.30 am at Flourish Stay and rapidly engulfed the narrow five-storey building.
At least 21 people lost their lives in the incident, including 12 foreign nationals, while several others sustained injuries. Authorities said nearly 40 guests were staying at the property when the fire started, with many reportedly asleep at the time.
Emergency teams rushed to the spot and launched a large-scale rescue operation. Despite efforts by firefighters and rescue personnel, many guests were unable to escape the rapidly spreading flames and smoke.
Investigation Reveals Serious Safety Concerns
Preliminary investigations have uncovered several alleged safety violations at the property.
According to Delhi Police, the building had only a single entry and exit point, significantly restricting evacuation options during the emergency. Investigators also found that the windows were permanently sealed and the main entrance operated through a sensor-based mechanism.
Officials believe these factors may have severely hampered escape efforts once the fire spread through the building.
B&B Allegedly Operating Far Beyond Permitted Capacity
The property had been granted permission under the Delhi government’s Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Scheme, which allows establishments to operate a maximum of six guest rooms.
However, sources told NDTV that Flourish Stay was allegedly operating as many as 25 rooms, including accommodation in the basement, at the time of the incident.
Authorities are now examining whether the property violated licensing conditions, fire safety norms and building regulations. Investigators are also looking into whether lapses in oversight allowed the establishment to continue operating despite the alleged violations.
As the probe continues, the tragedy has once again raised serious questions about fire safety compliance and enforcement in commercial accommodations operating in residential neighbourhoods across the national capital.