Seventeen die in Delhi hotel fire- 12th February

15th February 2019

The fire occurred at the Hotel Arpit Palace which is located in Karol Bagh, an area popular with tourists for its budget hotels and shopping,

he fire was reported at 4.35am and 22 fire tender attended the scene. The fire was brought under control by 7.30am with cooling operations ongoing for many hours.

Eyewitnesses said the dead included a woman and a child who attempted to jump from a window to safety. Officials said 35 people were rescued. Some were injured and have been taken to hospital.

The cause of the fire is not yet know but officials suspect that it may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. It has been claimed that the building features wooden panelling in the bedrooms and corridors which may have aided the fire. The PTI has advised that they found used fire extinguishers inside the hotel, suggesting that some of those who were trapped had tried to put out the fire.

Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain told the NDTV news website that the Hotel Arpit Palace had built a fifth floor with a kitchen and a terrace, even though the owners only had permission to build four storeys. He has also ordered a magisterial probe into the fire and stated that he has directed the fire department to inspect buildings which are five floors or more and submit a report on their fire safety compliance within a week.