A devastating fire tore through a restaurant-hotel complex in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, killing at least 21 people and injuring several others. Emergency workers rescued 40 people from the smoke-filled building and sent them to nearby hospitals as the city’s deadliest fire broke out in years, and at least 21 people were among them who were injured.
According to officials, the Delhi Fire Service received an emergency call at 9 am. Firefighters rushed to the scene and launched an extensive rescue operation as thick smoke and flames swamped large sections of the building. The fire started in the Lemon Green Restaurant, located in the building, and quickly spread to other areas of the building, officials said.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as residents and guests trapped inside scrambled for escape routes. Images posted on video as the building burned to ash from an upper floor appeared to show a woman jumping from that high-rise in a desperate attempt to escape the heat and smoke. Evacuation was difficult due to a narrow staircase in the centre of the building, as flames spread throughout the building, said one witness.
Rescue teams faced challenges because of poor visibility and the fire. There were also people in bathrooms, where they apparently sought shelter from the smoke. Other people were found trapped inside the building. More than 40 people were evacuated and taken to the hospital for treatment, and search operations remained ongoing for others still inside.
The fire was extinguished after hours of firefighting efforts, officials said. A total of 10 fire tenders were deployed to the site with water tankers, quick response vehicles, and specialist rescue units. Emergency personnel from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Delhi Police, CATS Ambulance Services, and other agencies were involved in the large-scale response.
Delhi: Malviya Nagar restaurant fire | According to the Delhi Fire Service, 10 people have died and 37 have been rescued so far. https://t.co/c8pm6vjWv3
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2026
Some foreign nationals were among the people who were staying at the property when the fire broke out, sources said. The families are still trying to identify all the victims and to inform them of what happened. The identities of a few of those who died have not yet been released.
Preliminary investigations have raised serious concerns about possible violations of building and safety regulations. The establishment had been granted permission under the Delhi government's Bed and Breakfast (B&B) scheme to operate only six rooms, sources said. But investigators believe that the property was functioning with as many as 25 rooms, including a couple in the basement, much beyond the approved capacity.
Officials are also looking into allegations that the premises, licensed under a limited accommodation scheme, were operated more like a PG facility. At the time of the incident, fire safety measures, emergency exits, occupancy limits, and regulatory permissions were not in place, according to investigators.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her grief at the tragedy and conveyed her condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a quick recovery for those who are injured. Emergency response teams were mobilised immediately after the incident was reported, and thanks to them, the rescue of many people from the building was made possible.
The Chief Minister stated that the Delhi government is constantly monitoring the situation and providing necessary medical care and support to families affected by the disaster. She emphasised that they are committed to providing any kind of relief to the people suffering from the disaster.
Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the devastating fire incident in Malviya Nagar.
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) June 3, 2026
My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and for strength & courage to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.…
With investigations continuing, the Malviya Nagar fire again poses the issue of fire safety compliance in commercial establishments and mixed-use properties across Delhi. The investigation is ongoing, and if there is a report that negligence or regulatory breaches were involved in the tragic loss of life, then the government will conduct a thorough inquiry, and no shortcuts may be taken.
The focus now is on finding the victims, treating the injured, and determining the cause of the fire that turned a busy South Delhi establishment into a tragedy.
