Shillong: A massive fire ripped through the Flourish Stay B&B in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar district on Wednesday morning, claiming the lives of at least 21 people. The blaze broke out around 8.30 am in the five-floor building, trapping guests inside as the fire spread rapidly through the narrow structure.
Rescue teams and local residents worked to extract those caught in the inferno, successfully pulling about 40 people from the building. Emergency crews transported the survivors to nearby hospitals, where 21 individuals were confirmed dead upon arrival. Officials warned that the death toll may increase as several of the injured remain in critical condition.
Many of the victims were foreign nationals from Central Asian and African countries. These guests had been staying at the hotel while their relatives received medical treatment at the nearby Max Hospital. Expressing his grief over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial aid for the victims, stating, "Ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured."
Police investigations reveal significant regulatory failures at the site. Although the hotel held permission for only six rooms under the city government's bed and breakfast policy, it was operating 25 rooms, some of which were located in the basement. Authorities are now auditing the property's fire safety clearance, noting that the building lacked adequate emergency exits. The specific cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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