• Source:JND

Delhi Fire Incident: The Delhi Police on Wednesday detained Lovekesh Bajaj, the co-owner of Hotel Flourish Stays, where at least 21 people died while several suffered burn injuries in a massive fire. Bajaj had been absconding since the incident was reported.

The deceased include foreign nationals from Nigeria and other African countries, Bangladesh. Additionally, eight members of a Gurugram family were also found dead in the hotel fire.  

Most of the deceased were staying in the hotel for treatment of their relatives at Max Hospital, which is located in front of the building. The Delhi government has also swung into action after the incident. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered, and the FIR has been registered against the owner of the property.

12 foreigners, 9 Indians died 

Speaking about the casualties in the incident, Delhi Police said, "In the fire incident at Malviya Nagar, a total of 49 persons were admitted to various hospitals for medical treatment."

During the course of treatment, 21 injured persons succumbed to their injuries. The deceased include 9 Indian nationals and 12 foreign nationals.

The Indian nationals have been identified as Shrutika Barnwal, Tarjani Aggarwal, Varya Aggarwal, Jhaveri Aggarwal, Vivek Aggarwal, Ashok Aggarwal, Kamla Aggarwal, Prem Lata Aggarwal and Jivisha Aggarwal.

Eight people have been discharged after treatment, while the remaining injured are under treatment.

LG holds meeting, action plan made

Regarding this incident, LG TS Sandhu and Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood held a high-level emergency review meeting on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Malviya Nagar Fire: Rules Flouted, Responsibilities Ignored; Who Is To Blame For 21 Deaths?

The meeting developed a rigorous action plan to investigate the tragedy and prevent future incidents. The magisterial inquiry into the accident will be overseen by the area's District Magistrate (DM).

The Delhi government's home department will be the nodal department for this entire campaign. The Chief Secretary and the Police Commissioner will personally monitor this entire campaign for the next one month. During this campaign, institutions that flout the rules will be sealed.

12 major and tough decisions were taken in the meeting

  • Extensive checking drive: Fire safety rules will be strictly checked in all hotels, lodges, guest houses, nursing homes, coaching institutes, restaurants and commercial establishments in Delhi.
  • Meeting with associations: Delhi Police, MCD, and Tourism Department will jointly hold a meeting with all hotel associations and will give them a strict warning to follow fire safety and license rules.
  • Locking of illegal rooms: All additional rooms found in hotels and lodges beyond the prescribed capacity will be immediately closed.
  • Strict ground action: A joint team of DM, DCP, DC MCD and Fire Department officials has been formed for investigation at the ground level, which will take direct action.
  • 15-day ultimatum: All commercial premises have been instructed to repair their fire safety equipment, water tanks, and water supply systems within the next 15 days. Audits of these buildings will also begin on Thursday.
  • Sealing and legal action against defaulters: Any institution found violating the rules will be immediately sealed and strict legal action will be taken against them.

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  • Public feedback and helpline: To identify buildings violating norms, the fire department will release a dedicated helpline number and email within a week, where the public can register their complaints.
  • Removal of obstructions: The land-owning agencies, the Delhi Fire Service, and the Delhi Police will jointly conduct a survey to identify areas that pose difficulties for fire brigade vehicles to access. Encroachments will be removed from these areas.
  • Awareness through digital medium: Information on fire safety rules will be sent digitally to all commercial buildings and resident welfare associations, so that owners can check their preparedness themselves and rectify the deficiencies.
  • Orders to RWAs and commercial buildings: All commercial buildings and RWAs have also been asked to check the fire safety equipment, tanks and water supply systems at their level to ensure that they are in compliance with all the rules.
  • Strict sealing and legal action: Strict legal action and sealing will be taken against defaulters who violate the rules. To identify such buildings, the Fire Department will issue a dedicated helpline number and email address within a week, where the public can directly lodge complaints/feedback.
  • Clearing Road Blocks: Land-owning agencies, the Delhi Fire Service, and the Delhi Police will jointly conduct a survey to identify narrow paths or obstructions that hinder access for fire brigade vehicles. Where possible, these paths will be cleared of encroachments, and alternative firefighting arrangements will be made in other areas.

(With Agencies Inputs)


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