Tragic Building Fire in New Delhi Kills 21, Sparks Safety Concerns
NEW DELHI — A fire ripped through a building in the Malviya Nagar neighborhood Wednesday, killing at least 21 people and injuring several others, police said.
The building housed a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel above. The area is densely populated and popular with students and young professionals.
Firefighters used eight engines to douse the blaze. More than 40 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals. Local residents also helped pull people from windows as thick smoke billowed from the structure.
Some of the victims were foreign nationals who had traveled to India for medical treatment, local media reported. They often stay in such hotels during their visits.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, with his office announcing financial assistance of 200,000 rupees ($2,088) to each victim’s family.
Fires are common in India, where building laws and safety norms are frequently ignored by builders and residents. The cause of Wednesday’s blaze remains under investigation.
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