Nearly a dozen foreign nationals were among those killed in the blaze that ripped through the bed-and-breakfast facility in south Delhi on Wednesday morning.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The death toll in the June 3 Malviya Nagar blaze rose to 22 after another foreign national succumbed to injuries on Saturday, the Delhi police said on Sunday.
Nearly a dozen foreign nationals were among those killed in the blaze that ripped through the bed-and-breakfast facility in south Delhi on Wednesday morning.
At least 49 people were rescued from the fire and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Details about Saturday’s death are not yet available. However, a senior police officer said more survivors are critical and under intensive care.
The Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast (B&B) facility was operating without clearance from the fire department. Lavkesh Bajaj, the owner of the building, was arrested hours after the incident. On June 6, the police arrested Keshav Negi, a cook at the facility. He was remanded in police custody for two days.
Crackdown continues
Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) continued its crackdown on illegal structures in the Capital.
A report shared by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that the Revenue Department sealed 12 illegal buildings on Sunday after inspecting 130 properties, including schools, residential and commercial establishments, and B&Bs across 10 districts. Since June 1, 126 properties have been sealed, 97 properties demolished while 33 demolition orders and 41 show-cause notices for sealing have been issued, the CMO statement read.
It added that show-cause and sealing notices have been issued in several other cases. In some properties, violations under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have also been noted, along with the absence of no-objection certificates from the fire department or approved building plans, and violations of building by-laws.
Four B&Bs found operating in violation of licensing and fire safety norms will be sealed in New Delhi district.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government will continue its campaign against illegal constructions, encroachments, and violations of safety norms.
“Taking the recent accidents and building safety-related incidents reported from different parts of the country and the Capital seriously, the government has issued clear directions to enforcement agencies to ensure immediate action wherever violations of building by-laws, fire safety norms or approved construction standards are found,” she said.
Ms. Gupta also said the government is working on long-term reforms related to building safety. “This would create additional pressure on building owners to comply with safety standards and further strengthen public safety,” she added.
Seven rescued from fire
Seven persons, including five children and two women, were rescued after a fire broke out in a house in New Friends Colony in south Delhi around 3.39 p.m. on Sunday, officials said. No casualties were reported. The Delhi Fire Services sent a water bowser, a quick response vehicle and a fire tender to the spot in south-east Delhi, an official said. The police dismissed reports circulating about the death of a child as a rumour.
(With inputs from PTI)
Published – June 08, 2026 01:15 am IST
