Delhi Hotel Owner Detained After Fire Kills 18 Foreign Nationals

Police in Delhi detained a hotel owner on Sunday as investigators examined the wreckage of a fire in the Malviya Nagar neighbourhood that claimed the lives of 18 foreign nationals. The blaze swept through the building late Saturday night, trapping guests as smoke filled corridors on upper floors.

Fire Breaks Out in Delhi Hotel

The incident occurred at a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area. Emergency services received the first call around 11:40 PM on Saturday. Fire tenders arrived within 20 minutes, but the building's narrow approach roads complicated their efforts, officials told reporters at the scene.

Sixteen fire engines were deployed to control the blaze, which gutted two floors before crews could contain it by 3:00 AM. The smoke was so dense that rescuers had to work in shifts, breathing through apparatus as they searched room by room.

Victims Identified as Foreign Nationals

Authorities confirmed all 18 fatalities were foreign nationals. The deceased included guests staying on the second and third floors of the property. Several survivors were treated at nearby hospitals for smoke inhalation.

Police said they were coordinating with embassies to notify families. The hotel primarily catered to budget travellers, according to local residents who spoke with reporters.

Hotel Owner Taken into Custody

Investigators detained the hotel owner on Sunday morning following preliminary findings. Officials said the property appeared to lack adequate fire safety measures. No emergency exits were visible from the street, neighbours told reporters.

The owner is expected to face charges under local safety regulations. Police confirmed the investigation was ongoing and that more details would emerge once officials completed their on-site assessment.

Safety Violations Under Investigation

Fire department officials reported multiple violations at the property. The building lacked working smoke detectors on upper floors, and fire extinguishers found inside appeared to have expired, according to an initial assessment.

Authorities also discovered the hotel had operated without a valid safety certificate. Neighbours said they had previously flagged concerns about overcrowding to local municipal offices.

Neighbourhood Response

Malviya Nagar residents gathered near the scene throughout Sunday morning. Many expressed disbelief that such a tragedy could occur in a densely populated residential area. Local shopkeepers said the hotel had operated for several years without incident.

Community leaders called for immediate safety audits of similar properties across south Delhi. The area has seen rapid commercialisation in recent years, with numerous budget accommodations popping up to serve tourists and business travellers.

Ongoing Rescue and Recovery Operations

Rescue teams continued searching the debris on Sunday afternoon. Officials said they expected the formal identification process to take several days given the condition of the remains. Forensic teams were called to assist with the investigation.

Delhi's chief fire officer visited the site and told reporters his department would conduct inspections at hotels across the city. A municipal official confirmed that a safety drive would begin this week targeting similar establishments.

What Happens Next

Police said the hotel owner would be formally arrested and presented before a magistrate. The investigation will examine whether any municipal officials failed to act on previous complaints about the property.

A memorial service for the victims is expected to be held once families provide identification documents. Authorities urged anyone with information about the hotel's operations to come forward.

Delhi residents should expect increased fire safety inspections at hotels and guesthouses across the city in the coming weeks. The government has announced a compensation package for the families of the victims, though details have not yet been released.