New Delhi

Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind and community spirit, several local Muslim youths joined hands with Delhi Police in rescuing guests trapped inside a hotel in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar after a devastating fire on Wednesday claimed 21 lives, including 17 foreign nationals.

The local volunteers worked alongside police personnel to evacuate people trapped inside the hotel-cum-guest house. They also administered CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), a life-saving emergency procedure performed when a person's breathing or heartbeat stops, to several victims. Their timely intervention is believed to have saved numerous lives and prevented the death toll from rising further.

According to police, around 40 people were rescued from the burning building.

The efforts of these young men earned praise from Delhi BJP leader Satish Upadhyay, who publicly acknowledged Afzal, Mohammad Shahrukh, Mohammad Aneesh, Mohammad Aamir, and Mohammad Waseem for their courage and selfless service. He also commended five Delhi Police personnel—Head Constables Dinesh, Kartar Singh, Deshraj, Ajay, and Meena—for their heroic role in the rescue operation.

Upadhyay said he would recommend their names to the Police Commissioner for commendations. Interacting with the local rescuers, he expressed admiration for their bravery and humanitarian spirit.

आज के जांबाजों को सलाम!

मालवीय नगर के हौज रानी स्थित लेमन ग्रीन रेस्टोरेंट में लगी भीषण आग के दौरान इन पांच साहसी नागरिकों (अफजल, मो. शाहरुख, मो. अनीश, मो. आमिर और मो. वसीम) और पांच वीर पुलिसकर्मियों (एचसी दिनेश, एचसी करतार सिंह, एचसी देशराज, एचसी अजय और एचसी मीना) ने अपनी जान… pic.twitter.com/jthYR0aWEh

— Satish Upadhyay (@upadhyaysbjp) June 3, 2026

"I am proud of you. You saved many lives, including those of foreign nationals, by providing CPR and helping with the rescue efforts," he told them.

Among the rescuers was Waseem Raza, who described how he and his friends Shoaib and Israr rushed to help people trapped in the flames.

"We brought mattresses from a nearby shop and spread them on the ground so people could jump from the second and third floors. Several lives were saved because of this," he said.

The young men, all residents of Hauz Rani village, have been widely praised for their courage. Their actions reflected the true spirit of India, where humanity rises above all differences in times of crisis.

The fire broke out at Flourish Stay, a bed-and-breakfast hotel in the congested Hauz Rani area of South Delhi. The blaze killed at least 21 people, including 11 foreign nationals, many of them from Central Asian and African countries.

ये वसीम रजा है बता रहे है के कैसे इन्होंने शोएब और इसरार के साथ मिलकर ग्रीन लेमन होटल की आग में फंसे लोगों को बचाया , उन्होंने बताया के गद्दे वाले की शॉप से गद्दे लेकर सामने बिछाये जिस पर दूसरी - तीसरी मंजिल से कूद कर लोगों ने जान बचाई। इनके जज्बे को सलाम है ये सभी हौजरानी गांव… pic.twitter.com/1pz1EQnqFA

— Huma Naaz (@HumaNaaz85) June 3, 2026

The hotel largely catered to patients and attendants visiting the nearby Max Hospital.

Officials said 35 people sustained injuries in the incident, with 19 remaining in critical condition at various hospitals across Delhi.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as flames rapidly engulfed the multi-storey building, forcing several occupants to jump from upper floors in desperate attempts to save themselves.

Local resident Sher Khan said the fire initially appeared minor before spreading uncontrollably.

"I was on my way to a shop when I noticed a small fire. It kept growing rapidly, and soon there seemed to be no way out for those trapped inside. People spread mattresses on the ground, and some jumped from the third floor, including a person carrying a small child. One woman fractured her leg. The public made every effort to help, but the situation became increasingly dangerous," Khan told ANI.

Another resident, Om, recalled witnessing the horrifying scene.

"At around 9:30 a.m., we saw a massive fire. My friend and I were passing by on a scooter. The entire building was engulfed in flames and people were jumping from different sides. We saw at least five people jump. One of them appeared to have broken a leg. The road was completely blocked and a huge crowd had gathered," he said.

According to Delhi Police, more than 15 foreign nationals were among those who lost their lives.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Anant Mittal said information about the fire at Flourish Stay B&B was received at 8:48 a.m., following which police teams and emergency services rushed to the spot.

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He added that rescue and search operations continued for several hours and that all concerned agencies remained deployed at the site to assist those affected and investigate the cause of the fire.