Ranit Kr. Singh , New Delhi - A devastating fire tore through a five-storey bed and breakfast building in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, killing 21 people, including at least 18 foreign nationals. The victims have been identified as citizens of Nigeria, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Somalia, Liberia, and Afghanistan. The blaze, which erupted around 8:30 AM in the densely populated Hauz Rani area, also left 10 police personnel injured during a chaotic rescue operation as they braved thick smoke to save trapped residents from the poorly ventilated, shaft-like structure.

Initial reports suspected a restaurant cylinder blast, but police later clarified the fire originated within the hotel building itself, likely triggered by a short circuit. The building housed the Lemon Green Restaurant on the ground floor, while its basement and five upper floors operated as a hotel. Witnesses described harrowing scenes, including a mother jumping from the building while tightly holding her child, as flames quickly cut off any viable escape routes.

First responders from the local police department launched an immediate rescue effort upon receiving the emergency call, with ten officers suffering various injuries while extinguishing the flames. Authorities, led by fire officer A K Malik, are continuing their investigation into the exact cause of the disaster and looking into potential structural and safety violations. Meanwhile, medical teams are working to identify all the deceased and provide urgent care to the surviving victims and injured police personnel.