Fire Kills at Least 21 at Delhi Bed-and-Breakfast

A fire swept through a multi-storey building operating as a bed-and-breakfast in New Delhi's Malviya Nagar neighborhood on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people and injuring dozens more. The structure, known as Flourish Stay B&B, catered to patients and relatives receiving care at a nearby private hospital. Many of those killed were foreign nationals from South Asian and African countries.

More than 40 people were rescued and taken to hospital.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control quickly, and police later cleared the building. Eyewitnesses described finding unconscious victims beneath beds and in washrooms. One local said he found a couple holding each other in a washroom. Another witness performed CPR on several people and revived some of them.

A shopkeeper opposite the building spread quilts on the ground to cushion people who jumped from upper floors.

Delhi minister Ashish Sood said authorities were checking whether the building had proper permissions to operate as a bed-and-breakfast and that anyone found responsible for violations would face criminal action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees for families of those killed and 50,000 rupees for the injured.

>"The fire was brought under control quite early on - it was contained very quickly. Past deadly blazes in Delhi have been linked to faulty electrical systems and buildings operating beyond approved uses.