New Delhi: A massive fire broke out at a ‘bed and breakfast’ facility in south Delhi’s densely populated Hauz Rani on Wednesday morning, killing 21 people and seriously injuring 20 others. The fire broke out at the Flourish Stay Bed and Breakfast, which had about 50 guests at the time, and spread to the adjacent inn.At least nine of the 18 victims identified so far are foreigners, most of whom had come for medical treatment.It is suspected that the fire started from a commercial LPG cylinder in the basement kitchen or in the AC of a restaurant on the ground floor. Eyewitnesses said they heard an explosion at around 8.40 am, just before the fire spread. The fire spread quickly due to the flammable material and spread to the single, narrow central staircase.

Delhi Police registered an FIR of culpable homicide and arrested facility owner Lavkesh Bajaj, a resident of Saket, hours after a look-out circular was issued against him and his wife.Hundreds of guests sleeping on the upper floors and basements were trapped in a suffocating nightmare. Many people jumped from upper floor windows to avoid being burnt alive.Locals pulled heavy bedding, large mattresses and thick blankets to prevent falls, but many suffered injuries and fractures.Masked firefighters, policemen and local residents rescued at least 48 people and evacuated them to three hospitals. Of the 21 people who died, police have managed to identify nine foreigners and nine Indian nationals, eight of whom were from the same family.Most of the victims died from smoke inhalation, while many suffered severe burns and severe respiratory damage. The autopsy report is awaited.At around 8.48 am, distress calls were received by the Delhi Fire Service and the local police. Authorities dispatched eight fire tenders to manage water distribution, two high-capacity water bowsers to maintain pressure and special quick response vehicles equipped with cutting tools and ventilation fans. First responders arrived around 8:55 a.m. but faced a nightmare. The roof was locked and there was fire on the ground floor. Narrow, winding streets and haphazard parking hinder the movement of heavy emergency vehicles.Faced with this impasse, the local people united. As traffic came to a halt, residents formed a human chain and pushed cars that were blocking the way to make space for fire engines. He then directed traffic and directed the CATS ambulance straight to the disaster site. Only one fire tender could reach the spot at a time. Between 9 and 11.30 am, a massive, coordinated rescue operation was fully underway.Those injured included 10 policemen and two firemen.By noon, several firefighting units extinguished the fire. Firefighters found several cylinders hidden in the basement. Forensic and technical teams are analyzing evidence from the site.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs. The family of each victim will be given Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. He also said that Rs. Those injured in the incident will be given Rs 50,000.Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered and city-wide action will be initiated against illegal properties, unauthorized guest houses and establishments operating in violation of fire safety norms and building bye-laws.The victims who visited India include Tulkinov Khmoim and Makhpiratkhon Kochkarova of Kyrgyzstan, David Atim and Esther Ngusoron of Nigeria, Nargiza Khakimova of Uzbekistan, Tshipamba Achille Ntambu of Mozambique and Janjay Ann Rowland of Liberia. The Indian victims include Shrutika Baranwal, 27, and eight members of the same family.The injured included Issac (62), Roman Habib (20), Umma Salma (51), Vishal Kumar (29), Hosien Mosharul (40), Rohit Mukhiya (25), Uba (32), Mohammad Warsam (31), Janko Jibrin (75), Ikhtiyor Tashtiyev (46), Mohammad Sahidul Islam (48), Armin Zaman (25), Riyana (43) and Shakhida is included. (44)