'Roof Was Locked, Many Could Have Lived': Eyewitness Recounts Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire Horror

Key points

• 'Roof Was Locked, Many Could Have Lived': Eyewitness Recounts Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire Horror Published By, Last Updated: June 03, 2026, 19:32 IST Locals said they used quilts, mattresses and whatever they could find to cushion the fall of those escaping from upper floors.
• Forensics team members take photographs of the site following a fire that broke out at a hotel in New Delhi on June 3. (AFP photo) Eyewitnesses of the devastating fire at a hotel in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area, which has left at least 21 people dead, have described it as a preventable tragedy that quickly turned into a “death trap".
• Speaking to CNN-News18, eyewitness Sajid said fire tenders were called around 8 am, but arrived late.
• “If they could have come earlier, casualties could have been prevented," he said.
• He also alleged delays in response after calls were made to the electricity department.