New Delhi, February 12: Seventeen people were killed as a massive fire swept through a hotel in central Delhi’s Karol Bagh area early on Tuesday, police said. The fire broke out at Arpit Palace hotel located on Gurdwara Road in Karol Bagh.
A call about the fire was received at 4.35 am and 24 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, a senior officer from the Delhi Fire Service said.
A senior Delhi Police official said 17 people were killed in the fire.
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.
May the injured recover soon: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 12, 2019
The injured were rushed to three hospitals, including the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. Thirteen bodies are at the RML Hospital, a senior doctor said. The dead includes a child.
We are saddened by the tragic loss of 9 lives in a fire in #KarolBagh. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with the families and loved ones of the deceased.
— Youth Congress (@IYC) February 12, 2019
A video of the incident showed two people jumping from the fourth floor of the burning building. According to eyewitnesses, most deaths were caused due to suffocation. They said wooden panelling in the corridors of the hotel contributed to the quick spread of the fire.
A fire department official said some fire extinguishers were found used suggesting people trapped inside tried to douse the fire in a bid to escape. Cooling process is under way and the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, he added.
