A child was among 17 people who died in a major fire that engulfed several storeys of a central Delhi hotel early on Tuesday. Fire fighters received a call at 4.30 am, as six-storeyed Hotel Arpit Palace caught fire in Karol Bagh. Dputy Commissioner of Police Mandeep Randhawa said approximately 35 people were rescued, but the death toll could further rise. Fire Chief Officer GC Mishra said most victims died of suffocation.
The hotel comprises a basement, a ground floor and four other floors. At least 35 rooms were booked by members of a family, who were in the city for a special function. While the initial fire was reported on third and fourth floor, the blaze reportedly spiraled down as well. The only floors to not be affected were the basement and ground floors. Most of the damage was reported between the second and the fourth floor. The fire has since been controlled and the cooling process is underway. Mishra said, “When the fire tenders reached the spot, flames were leaping out of the building. Many people were still fast asleep at that time.” The blaze appears to have caused by a short circuit, he said.
Fire Officer Vipin Kental informed that as there was wooden panelling on the corridor, people couldn't use corridors to evacuate. He said two people jumped off the building to save themselves from the blaze. Kental said, “Nearly 30 fire tenders had rushed to the spot and now the rescue operation has been completed.” Delhi Hotel Association Vice President Balan Mani said the mishap took place due to fire in ducting because of which it had spread to the hotel rooms. Mani said, “All norms were followed at the hotel, the license is issued only after inspection. Mishappening can occur in a house as well.”
