A devastating fire at the Lemon Green Inn hotel in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning claimed the lives of 21 people and led to the rescue of 37 others. The tragic incident has brought to light serious allegations that the hotel was operating significantly beyond its licensed capacity.
Hotel Operated Beyond Legal Capacity
Investigators are focusing on reports that the Lemon Green Inn, which was licensed under the Delhi government's Bed and Breakfast scheme for only six rooms, was allegedly running 25 rooms, including several in its basement. This discrepancy raises critical questions about compliance with licensing regulations and adherence to essential fire safety standards.
The Delhi Fire Service received the initial call around 9 AM. More than ten firefighting vehicles, including water tenders and quick response units, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Rescue teams faced challenging conditions, navigating smoke-filled corridors to evacuate guests trapped on multiple floors. Three individuals were initially pulled from the basement and rushed to nearby hospitals, with the death toll rising as search operations continued. Injured guests were transported to Max Hospital in Saket and the AIIMS Trauma Centre.
Investigation Underway
The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain whether all necessary fire safety protocols were observed and if the hotel's operations aligned with its official permissions. Visuals from the aftermath depicted a severely charred building facade, with windows blackened by the intense heat and smoke damage visible across various levels.
Political Leaders Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound sorrow over the loss of lives, announcing financial assistance for the victims. "The loss of lives due to a fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, is tragic. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured," PM Modi stated, adding that an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 to the injured.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed that emergency agencies, including the Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, and CATS Ambulance Services, were mobilized immediately. "Their swift response helped in rescuing and evacuating several persons from the affected premises. Delhi Govt is closely monitoring the situation," she said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also conveyed his condolences and urged authorities to ensure prompt medical care and adequate compensation for the victims.