Investigators are probing multiple possible causes and alleged safety lapses after a fire at Flourish Stays B&B in Delhi’s Hauz Rani area that killed 22 people and injured several others, including foreign nationals. The blaze, reported on June 9, 2026, has prompted criminal arrests and a broad inquiry into how the fire started, how it spread so quickly and whether emergency procedures were followed.
Two main theories are at the centre of the probe. Citing police sources, the news agency PTI reported that a chain of events in the hotel kitchen began when cook Keshav Negi switched on an oil fryer and then left to make tea. Investigators say the oil overheated to its auto‑ignition temperature, ignited and spread to the ceiling and nearby combustible materials, including stored cartons. Police allege Negi tried to extinguish the blaze but left the area once it became uncontrollable and did not alert guests, neighbours or emergency services.
A different possibility was raised in court by Delhi Police, according to news agency ANI. While seeking custodial remand of Negi before Judicial Magistrate First Class Bhanu Pratap Singh at Saket court, police told the bench that a leakage of cooking gas could have caused the fire and said custodial interrogation was needed. Authorities have not released a final forensic report confirming the origin of the blaze.
Investigators are also examining an apparent delay in response: sources say nearly 30 minutes elapsed between the first signs of fire and the first emergency call. The conduct of staff present during the incident is under scrutiny. PTI says three staff members were in the building — the cook, a helper who escaped by jumping from the terrace, and a manager identified as Rupesh, alias Rakesh, who police say fled from the reception area and is being sought.
Officials have widened the probe to include the building’s design and regulatory compliance. Investigators suspect the property may have lacked necessary approvals and are looking at whether extensive wood and plastic decorations fuelled the rapid spread of flames and whether a single entry–exit route became unusable due to smoke and heat. Hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and cook Keshav Negi have been arrested, and an associate, accountant Jay Mishra, was taken into custody after surrendering.
Forensic findings and a review of records, approvals and safety measures are awaited as investigators work to assign responsibility for one of Delhi’s deadliest hotel fires in recent years.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/oil-fryer-gas-leak-missing-alarm-fresh-details-emerge-in-delhi-hotel-fire-probe-14020352.html
Category: India
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-06-09 09:17:00
