At least 21 people, including 17 foreign nationals, were killed and about 37 others rescued after a fire broke out at a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, June 3.Most of the victims were from Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Bangladesh.The fire broke out in the restaurant of the Flourish Stay hotel around 8.50 am, which is reportedly located in the basement of the five-storey building. The fire later spread to another hotel, Micasa Inn, next to it.An official said that two water engines, two water bowsers, a quick-response vehicle and other firefighting units were sent after they received the distress call from the predominantly residential area, which is densely populated and is popular with students and young professionals.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

A video showed some people jumping from the burning building to save their lives. Mattresses were spread on the ground to cushion the fall of people.

"I saw four to six people breaking the glass and jumping from the building to escape the fire. One person's leg appeared to have been broken after the fall," a witness told reporters.

The hotel, owned by Lavkesh Bajaj, is located in the narrow lanes of Hauz Rani and comprises about 25 rooms.

It reportedly had also accommodated more than 40 guests, including foreigners who were in the national capital for medical treatment.

Most of the guests in the hotel were reportedly sleeping when the fire broke out.

Sources told NDTV that Flourish Stay had been granted a licence by the Delhi government under a bed and breakfast (B&B) concept. Under this permission, only six rooms were allowed. However, the hotel was reportedly operating 25 rooms, including rooms in the basement.

A preliminary investigation by the Fire Department has found that the hotel had no valid Fire NOC (No Objection Certificate). Several hotels in the area operate without fire clearances, a senior official said.

The hotel also had only one entry and exit point. This allowed the fire to spread rapidly, said AK Malik, Chief Fire Officer, Delhi Fire Service. The building also had no windows, he added.

"It was a five-story building. People were residing in the basement as well. The basement was secured with a shutter. Firefighters had to cut through the shutter to gain entry, where six people were found inside," Malik told NDTV.

A total of 17 fire tenders were deployed and 37 people were rescued, he said, adding that the fire originated in the basement and subsequently spread to the upper floors.

Lavkesh Bajaj and his partners own three hotels in the same area.

Kesar Singh, a chef working at the neighbouring Micasa Inn, recounted that he was making tea on an electric stove.

"I suddenly heard a loud blast," he said.

He said he later saw that there was a fire.

"When I stepped outside, I saw that the entire hotel was on fire. I somehow managed to escape," Negi said.

Source: NDTV