Malviya Nagar fire: Trapped guest jumped from third floor, fractured hip; 21 dead
Synopsis
A guest trapped by the Malviya Nagar hotel fire smashed a window and jumped from the third floor, fracturing his hip — one of the more harrowing survivor accounts to emerge from a blaze that killed 21 people, including 12 foreign nationals. With the owner in custody and the manager absconding, the investigation is now zeroing in on alleged safety violations at the Flourish Stay B&B.
Key Takeaways
A guest at Flourish Stay B&B , Malviya Nagar , jumped from the third floor after being trapped, sustaining a hip fracture .
The fire on 4 June killed 21 people , including 12 foreign nationals from Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Bangladesh.
Hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj was sent to four days' police custody by a court on Thursday.
Manager Jai Mishra remains absconding; police teams are actively searching for him.
Forensic experts are examining the site for alleged fire safety and building code violations.
A guest at the Flourish Stay B&B in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area was forced to smash a window and leap from the third floor of the burning building after being unable to find an escape route, sustaining a hip fracture in the fall. The incident came as the death toll from the 4 June blaze climbed to 21, with several others hospitalised.
How the Victim Escaped
Shubham Kumar, a relative of the injured guest, told reporters that his cousin had checked into the hotel while undergoing physiotherapy at the nearby Max Hospital, Saket. The cousin had arrived in Delhi 10 days earlier for treatment, visiting the hospital once every two days for sessions.
When fire engulfed the multi-storeyed property on Wednesday, the guest found himself trapped as flames reached his room. 'His hand got burned due to the flames that reached his room,' Kumar said. With no exit available, the guest broke the window glass and jumped. 'Because of this, his hip got fractured. He was admitted to a hospital by the authorities,' Kumar added.
Kumar said his cousin regained consciousness and immediately called family members, who travelled from Ludhiana to be by his side.
Foreign Nationals Among the 21 Dead
The tragedy claimed the lives of 12 foreign nationals, reportedly from Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Bangladesh. Maria Bella, a foreign national currently in Dehradun for studies, lost her aunt in the blaze. 'I had my uncle and aunt here yesterday, and then I lost my aunt in the fire incident, and my uncle is at the hospital,' an emotional Maria told reporters.
Investigation and Arrests
Authorities intensified the probe on Thursday, a day after the fire. A court sent hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj to four days' police custody. Police teams are actively searching for the absconding manager, Jai Mishra, while forensic experts examine evidence at the site to assess alleged safety violations that may have contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
What Happens Next
The focus of the investigation is expected to shift toward fire safety compliance, building code adherence, and the accountability of those who managed the property. Families of both Indian and foreign victims are seeking answers on how a guest accommodation in a residential neighbourhood became the site of one of Delhi's deadliest recent fires.
Point of View
Including a dozen foreign nationals, in a B&B operating in a residential neighbourhood raises hard questions about how such properties are licensed and inspected. The owner's arrest is a start, but the absconding manager and the forensic audit of violations will be the real test of whether accountability follows tragedy this time.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Malviya Nagar hotel fire?
A massive fire broke out at the Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar, south Delhi, on 4 June, killing 21 people and injuring several others. The multi-storeyed property was hosting guests, including foreign nationals, at the time of the blaze.
How did the trapped guest escape the Malviya Nagar fire?
According to his relative Shubham Kumar, the guest was unable to find an exit as fire spread through the building. He broke the window glass on the third floor and jumped, fracturing his hip. He was hospitalised by authorities and regained consciousness shortly after.
Who are the victims of the Malviya Nagar fire?
Of the 21 people killed, 12 were foreign nationals reportedly from Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Bangladesh. Several Indian guests were also among the dead and injured.
Has anyone been arrested in connection with the Malviya Nagar fire?
Yes, hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj was sent to four days' police custody by a court on Thursday. Manager Jai Mishra is absconding, and police teams are searching for him.
What is the status of the investigation into the Flourish Stay fire?
The investigation intensified on Thursday, with forensic experts examining the site for alleged fire safety and building code violations. Police custody of the owner and the hunt for the absconding manager are the two active tracks of the probe.
