New Delhi

Authorities have widened their investigation into a devastating fire that swept through a bed-and-breakfast facility in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday, claiming at least 21 lives, including 17 foreign nationals, and leaving several others injured.

As part of the inquiry, Delhi Police officials visited the residence of Lovkesh Bajaj, one of the co-owners of Flourish Stays, the property where the blaze occurred. Investigators are examining possible violations of building regulations, fire safety requirements, and emergency evacuation norms.

Police have formed multiple teams to locate the hotel owner and are conducting searches at several locations across the national capital.

Preliminary findings indicate serious discrepancies between the property's approved capacity and its actual operations. Officials said Flourish Stays had authorization to run only six rooms under the bed-and-breakfast scheme but was allegedly operating 25 rooms. Another nearby establishment, Green Residency Hotel, reportedly had approval for six rooms while functioning with 28 rooms.

Initial assessments by the Delhi Fire Services suggest the fire may have originated near the ground-floor staircase, where combustible material was allegedly stored. Investigators said the exact cause of the fire and the nature of the material involved would be determined only after a detailed forensic examination.

Sources associated with the investigation also alleged that the building's windows had been sealed, severely restricting escape routes for occupants once the fire spread through the structure.

Firefighters conducting rescue operations discovered LPG cylinders inside the premises. However, early indications suggest the blaze began near the staircase area before rapidly engulfing the building.

A comprehensive forensic investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.

Former Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg described the incident as deeply distressing and highlighted the challenges posed by the locality's infrastructure.

He noted that the area is densely populated, making it difficult for fire tenders to access the site. He also pointed to the lack of nearby water sources, widespread encroachments, and the prevalence of buildings with only a single staircase. According to him, heavy smoke accumulation and inadequate safety measures likely contributed to the high death toll.

Meanwhile, Malviya Nagar BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay said accountability would be fixed following the inquiry. He stated that those found responsible for violating regulations would face arrest and that guest houses, hotels, and B&B establishments operating without adherence to safety norms would be sealed.

The tragedy has also left families of victims struggling for information. Several relatives expressed frustration over delays in identifying victims and locating their loved ones.

One family member alleged that authorities and hospital staff had provided little clarity regarding the whereabouts of those affected, adding to the distress of families waiting for updates.

READ MORE: Chabina Hassan's work helped in securing World Heritage status for the Charaideo Maidam

The fire broke out at Flourish Stay B&B at approximately 8:48 a.m. on Wednesday. While more than 40 people were rescued, at least 21 individuals lost their lives in one of the deadliest fire incidents reported in the capital in recent years.