What is the story about?
As investigators continue to piece together the events behind the devastating fire at a hotel in Delhi's Hauz Rani area, two possible causes have emerged at the centre of the inquiry: an unattended oil fryer and a suspected cooking gas leak.
South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar blaze at Flourish Stays B&B left 22 people dead and several others injured, including foreign nationals, prompting a wide-ranging investigation into safety violations, staff conduct and the building's infrastructure.
Authorities are now examining how the fire began and the circumstances that allowed it to spread rapidly through the property.
According to the news agency PTI, investigators believe a chain of events originating in the hotel's kitchen may have triggered the disaster.
Police reportedly told investigators that cook Keshav Negi switched on an oil fryer before preparing tea for himself. While drinking tea, he allegedly forgot that the fryer remained on.
Investigators believe the oil continued heating until it reached its auto-ignition temperature and caught fire. The flames are believed to have spread to the ceiling before engulfing combustible materials nearby.
According to police sources quoted by PTI, the fire intensified because of highly flammable items, including cartons stored inside the premises.
Investigators allege that Negi initially tried to put out the flames but left the area when the fire became uncontrollable. They further claim he did not alert guests, inform nearby residents or contact emergency services.
One aspect drawing particular attention is the reported gap of nearly 30 minutes between the first signs of the fire and the first emergency call.
According to sources quoted by the news agency, investigators are assessing whether an earlier evacuation or emergency response could have reduced the scale of the tragedy.
The actions of staff members present in the building at the time have also come under scrutiny.
While PTI reported the fryer theory, news agency ANI said Delhi Police presented a different possibility while seeking custodial remand of Negi before a Saket court.
According to the agency, investigators informed the court that a leakage of cooking gas had led to the fire.
Negi was produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class Bhanu Pratap Singh following his arrest. During remand proceedings, police argued that custodial interrogation was required and referred to a cooking gas leak as the cause of the blaze.
Authorities have yet to release a final forensic report confirming the exact origin of the fire.
According to PTI, three staff members were inside the hotel when the fire broke out: Negi, a helper sleeping on the top floor; manager Rupesh, alias Rakesh.
Investigators said the helper escaped by jumping from the terrace, while the manager allegedly fled from the reception area.
Police said efforts are continuing to locate him.
Officials suspect that the failure to immediately raise an alarm may have contributed to the high number of casualties.
The number of people killed in the fire increased to 22 after a Nigerian national, identified as Okale, died while undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.
The victims include Indian citizens as well as foreign nationals from multiple countries.
The investigation has expanded beyond the immediate cause of the fire to include the hotel's structural design and adherence to safety regulations.
According to PTI, investigators suspect the building may have lacked the necessary approvals. They are also examining whether extensive use of wood and plastic decorative materials accelerated the spread of the flames.
Authorities are further investigating whether the building's single entry-exit route became inaccessible after it filled with smoke and heat.
Hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and cook Keshav Negi have been arrested. Jay Mishra, an associate and accountant of Bajaj, has also been taken into custody after surrendering before a Delhi court.
Investigators are awaiting forensic findings while reviewing records, documentation and safety compliance measures to determine responsibility for one of Delhi's deadliest hotel fires in recent years.
South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar blaze at Flourish Stays B&B left 22 people dead and several others injured, including foreign nationals, prompting a wide-ranging investigation into safety violations, staff conduct and the building's infrastructure.
Authorities are now examining how the fire began and the circumstances that allowed it to spread rapidly through the property.
Unattended fryer under investigation
According to the news agency PTI, investigators believe a chain of events originating in the hotel's kitchen may have triggered the disaster.
Police reportedly told investigators that cook Keshav Negi switched on an oil fryer before preparing tea for himself. While drinking tea, he allegedly forgot that the fryer remained on.
Investigators believe the oil continued heating until it reached its auto-ignition temperature and caught fire. The flames are believed to have spread to the ceiling before engulfing combustible materials nearby.
According to police sources quoted by PTI, the fire intensified because of highly flammable items, including cartons stored inside the premises.
Investigators allege that Negi initially tried to put out the flames but left the area when the fire became uncontrollable. They further claim he did not alert guests, inform nearby residents or contact emergency services.
Authorities examining emergency response delay
One aspect drawing particular attention is the reported gap of nearly 30 minutes between the first signs of the fire and the first emergency call.
According to sources quoted by the news agency, investigators are assessing whether an earlier evacuation or emergency response could have reduced the scale of the tragedy.
The actions of staff members present in the building at the time have also come under scrutiny.
Police mention gas leak during court proceedings
While PTI reported the fryer theory, news agency ANI said Delhi Police presented a different possibility while seeking custodial remand of Negi before a Saket court.
According to the agency, investigators informed the court that a leakage of cooking gas had led to the fire.
Negi was produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class Bhanu Pratap Singh following his arrest. During remand proceedings, police argued that custodial interrogation was required and referred to a cooking gas leak as the cause of the blaze.
Authorities have yet to release a final forensic report confirming the exact origin of the fire.
Staff conduct remains under scrutiny
According to PTI, three staff members were inside the hotel when the fire broke out: Negi, a helper sleeping on the top floor; manager Rupesh, alias Rakesh.
Investigators said the helper escaped by jumping from the terrace, while the manager allegedly fled from the reception area.
Police said efforts are continuing to locate him.
Officials suspect that the failure to immediately raise an alarm may have contributed to the high number of casualties.
The number of people killed in the fire increased to 22 after a Nigerian national, identified as Okale, died while undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.
The victims include Indian citizens as well as foreign nationals from multiple countries.
Building safety and compliance under lens
The investigation has expanded beyond the immediate cause of the fire to include the hotel's structural design and adherence to safety regulations.
According to PTI, investigators suspect the building may have lacked the necessary approvals. They are also examining whether extensive use of wood and plastic decorative materials accelerated the spread of the flames.
Authorities are further investigating whether the building's single entry-exit route became inaccessible after it filled with smoke and heat.
Hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and cook Keshav Negi have been arrested. Jay Mishra, an associate and accountant of Bajaj, has also been taken into custody after surrendering before a Delhi court.
Investigators are awaiting forensic findings while reviewing records, documentation and safety compliance measures to determine responsibility for one of Delhi's deadliest hotel fires in recent years.
