Investigators examining the fire at a B&B in Malviya Nagar, specifically in the Hauz Rani area, have uncovered a series of lapses believed to be central to an incident that resulted in 22 fatalities. Reports indicate that the fire initiated when an oil fryer was neglected and left operational while the cook prepared tea. A delay of nearly half an hour before emergency services were contacted contributed to the uncontrollable spread of the flames.

Authorities are now scrutinising the actions of staff members and managers related to the hotel, as well as assessing the building’s compliance with safety regulations. In connection with the blaze, police have arrested Lavkesh Bajaj, the hotel owner, alongside the cook, Keshav Negi. A close associate, Jay Mishra, 34, has also turned himself in to a Delhi court, where he was remanded to two days of police custody for questioning.

Investigators are seeking technical support from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to determine how the fire spread rapidly throughout the five-storey establishment. The incident occurred on June 3, claiming the lives of 22 individuals, which included foreign nationals from Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Congo, Mozambique, and Liberia, alongside a 16-year-old girl.

Cook Admits Responsibility For Ignition

According to police, the fire was sparked when Keshav Negi activated the fryer filled with oil while preparing tea for himself. During questioning, he allegedly stated that he forgot about the fryer while consuming his drink. The oil reached its ignition point and ignited the ceiling before spreading to flammable materials in the vicinity. Investigators noted that the fire was exacerbated by highly combustible items stored in the area.

At the time the fire broke out, three staff members were present: Negi, a helper who was resting on the top floor, and manager Rupesh alias Rakesh. Initial efforts by Negi to extinguish the flames were futile, causing him to flee as the fire intensified. Reports suggest that he failed to alert the guests or neighbours and did not contact emergency services despite having sufficient time. It has been noted that there was a significant delay of approximately 30 minutes between the first sighting of flames and the first emergency call.

The helper managed to escape by leaping from the terrace, while Rupesh is reportedly missing. Officials believe the lack of timely warnings from the staff significantly increased the casualties. An additional fatality occurred when a Nigerian national named Okale succumbed to burn injuries while receiving treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.

Accountant Surrenders Following Incident

Jay Mishra, the accountant who had been on the run since the incident, has surrendered to Judicial Magistrate Bhanu Pratap Singh and has since been arrested by Delhi Police. He had previously faced allegations in 2024 concerning inadequate safety measures at the hotel. Investigators are examining significant hotel documents associated with him.

According to police, Mishra has had a long-standing relationship with Bajaj and has acted as a representative for various business ventures, managing financial affairs. Bajaj, during interrogations, reportedly stated that he had delegated daily operations of the hotel to Mishra. The police are now delving into financial records and ownership documents to ascertain accountability for the alleged safety violations.

The preliminary findings suggest that the structure may have aggravated the impact of the fire, potentially built without the necessary approvals. The extensive use of wood and plastic decorative materials in stairwells and ceilings is believed to have contributed to the fire’s rapid spread, complicating escape efforts for guests as smoke engulfed the single exit route.

IIT Delhi To Investigate Fire Propagation

Authorities have proposed involving IIT Delhi to conduct a detailed structural assessment and fire propagation study, including detailed mapping of the affected building. This investigation intends to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the fire and assess the factors that led to the entrapment of occupants.

The impending study will analyse burn patterns along with structural damages, such as compromised staircases, electrical systems, and collapsed components, to clarify how the fire progressed through the hotel. In the meantime, police have charged Bajaj and Negi with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, with several more associates undergoing questioning as investigators await final findings from forensic experts.

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