Karol Bagh hotel fire in Delhi leaves 17 dead, two jumped from fourth floor

Video recorded by eye-witnesses showed huge flames crowning the terrace where a person is seen jumping from the top floor. In the hotel, rescue operations are underway.

Video recorded by eye-witnesses showed huge flames crowning the terrace where a person is seen jumping from the top floor./ PTI IMAGE

NEW DELHI: A massive fire broke out in Delhi’s Karol Bagh in the early hours on Tuesday. As of now, the fire department reported that seventeen people including a child have been killed in the Arpit Palace Hotel fire which broke at 4 am. It is said that the fire was reported on third and fourth floor, but the blaze spiralled down as well. Only the basement and ground floor were not affected.  At present, cooling process is underway and the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced Ex gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each by the government to the kin of the deceased. Thirteen seriously injured were sent to the nearby Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and all were declared dead. Five people were sent to Lady Hardinge hospital where two were declared dead. A total of 35 people have been rescued by the fire department. The death toll could further rise and it is said that 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 one family, who were in the city for a special function. Delhi’s Minister of Health Satyendra Kumar Jain said that this is a case of lack of implementation of the rules. He said that the hotel was allowed to build four floors but instead six floors were constructed. Attacking at MCD, he said that the case will now be investigated. The Delhi Hotel Association Vice President, Balan Mani said "It was due to fire in ducting because of which it had spread to the hotel rooms. All norms were followed here; license is issued only after inspection. Mishappening can occur in a house as well." Sunil Choudhary, Deputy Chief, Fire Officer said "fire has been doused. Bodies are being taken out now. Rescue operation underway." Vipin Kental, Fire officials said that the cause of the fire yet to be investigated. He further added that there was wood panelling on the corridor because of which people couldn't use corridors to evacuate. Delhi: Earlier visuals from Hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh where a fire broke out today. Firefighting and rescue operations underway. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/l6Jd1pJpM6

— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2019

Video recorded by eye-witnesses showed huge flames crowning the terrace where a person is seen jumping from the top floor. It is said that two people had jumped from the hotel in order to save themselves. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives in a massive fire incident. "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a fire at Karol Bagh in Delhi. I convey my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives," he tweeted. He wished for speedy recovery of the injured. Sheila Dikshit tweeted, "I express my sorrow at the tragic death of several innocent people in a fire at Arpit Hotel in Karol Bagh. Our brave firefighters are working amidst extremely difficult circumstances to rescue those who are stranded in the building.