17 killed in massive fire at New Delhi hotel
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — Feb 13, 2019
The incident was reported around 4:35 am and 22 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Some were injured and have been taken to hospital.
About three dozen people were rescued, Paul said. As it stands, the fire has claimed lives of 17 people with nine injured and the toll could rise.
The blaze was extinguished in the early hours with the help of at least 25 fire engines, with the top floors being gutted.
The minister, who visited the site of the tragedy in central Delhi's Karol Bagh locality, said he was sure that there would be a violation of norms. Balan Mani, Delhi Hotel Association Vice President said, "It was due to fire in ducting because of which it had spread to the hotel rooms".
Paul says the fire engulfed most of the five-story hotel. I have ordered the fire department to review all the buildings and submit daily reports starting today.
Police said they were investigating the cause.
It's not clear whether the hotel was up to fire code, a government official said, adding that if safety hazards are found, the building's owner could face charges.
"There was wooden panelling in the corridor because of which people couldn't use the corridors to leave the hotel", firefighter Vipin Kenta told the Hindustan Times newspaper.
But the city is rapidly growing - with more than 18 million people now crowded into the Indian capital - and building violations are nearly impossible to stop.
A fireman stands outside the hotel where a fire broke out in New Delhi, India, February 12, 2019.
Many structures, both old and new, lack proper fire exits.
The has been doused and the bodies are being taken out of the hotel.
Jain said hotels and similar establishments were not supposed to extend beyond four floors in that area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths.
