'Roof Was Locked, Many Could Have Lived': Eyewitness Recounts Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire Horror
'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
'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.
‘Tried Everything To Save Them’ Sajid said locals rushed to help as panic spread inside the building. “We all thought of saving those pleading for their lives, so we threw mattresses for them to jump onto," he told CNN-News18. Another eyewitness who entered the burning structure and helped pull out bodies and survivors said access inside was severely restricted. ALSO READ: Delhi Hotel Fire: What Is B&B Scheme Under Which Property Got 6-Room Licence But Ran 25? “The roof was locked. If it had been open, many would have lived," he said, describing desperate attempts to reach those trapped. He also said people inside tried breaking glass using whatever they could find, including pressure cookers, but failed. “The toughened glass on the building exterior could not be broken even by stones," he said. Most victims, he added, died of asphyxiation.
‘Within Minutes, Smoke Filled Everything’ The fire broke out around 8–8:30 am at the Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar, and spread rapidly through the multi-storey building. Eyewitnesses said thick smoke engulfed the structure within minutes, leaving residents trapped with no clear exit route. Several people were seen breaking windows and jumping out as rescue efforts began. Locals said they used quilts, mattresses and whatever they could find to cushion the fall of those escaping from upper floors. At least 58 people were rescued, but 21 were declared brought dead at hospitals. Officials said many victims suffered severe asphyxiation, while several others remain critical. The building, which was operating beyond its approved capacity and without a fire safety NOC, had sealed windows and a sensor-operated entrance gate, making evacuation nearly impossible once the fire spread.
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