Delhi govt orders magisterial probe into hotel fire

New Delhi: The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial probe into the accident, in which a massive fire broke out at a private hotel in central Delhi's Karol Bagh area on Tuesday, resulting in the death of at least 17 people.

Home Minister Satyendar Jain, who visited the Arpit Palace Hotel, where the fire broke out in the early hours, told reporters that he, in addition to ordering the probe, has directed the fire department to inspect buildings which have five or more floors and submit a detailed report on their fire safety compliance, within a week.

"We have ordered for a magisterial inquiry into the case. Seventeen people have died, most of them of suffocation. Apparently, there were lapses (from the hotel administration's side) and action will be taken against those found guilty," he said.

Jain further said that, generally, four floors were allowed for such establishments, but officials have noticed a canopy on the terrace with chairs and tables laid out, besides the wood panelling inside the rooms.

"Hence, we have directed the fire department to inspect such multi-storeyed buildings which have five floors or more and submit a report in a week's time," he said.

The blaze that swept through the hotel on Gurudwara Road in central Delhi's Karol Bagh killed at least 17 people, according to the police estimate.

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.