Front Facade Sealed Windows Turned Delhi B B Into Death Trap

A facade built in violation of Delhi Master Plan guidelines and windows illegally blocked with two layers toughened glass exacerbated fire risk at an illegal bed-and-breakfast in south Delhi’s Hauz Rani, where a fire on Wednesday killed 21 people and injured 28 others, and may have even hampered rescue efforts, HT has found.

In addition, the facility had allegedly flouted electricity load norms as well, said Delhi power minister Ashish Sood.

The establishment – Flourish Stay in Hauz Rani – was licensed as a six-room B&B but operated as a 26-room hotel.

The structure never received a sanctioned building plan from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and lacked a mandatory fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC), officials said.

Sood said that permission was granted only for a six-room establishment. “It has also emerged that the establishment was allegedly allowed to operate under an incomplete and partial licence obtained in 2024, despite major safety deficiencies including commercial electricity load compliance.

The property, which was permitted to operate only a limited number of rooms under the scheme, was allegedly functioning as a high-density commercial lodging facility in complete violation of prescribed regulations.”

The establishment was operating under a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) license issued in 2024, which permitted only six rooms; however, the owner had expanded to 26 rooms.

Horrific visuals from Wednesday showed massive sparks in a web of high tension wires even as the guests were seen jumping from top floors of the building.

An official said the property had a commercial electricity connection installed in the late 1990s during the Delhi Vidyut Board’s tenure.

Jagdish Mamgain, an urban planning expert, said residential buildings are increasingly being turned over to commercial use, and the load on infrastructure is increasing without commensurate upgrades.

“Hauz Rani also has the problem of a mesh of overhead wires which are prone to fire hazards and short circuits,” he added.

Officials flagged structural violations – a facade on the front of the building, usage of toughened glass on windows, and sealed windows— that reignited memories of the horrific fire in a neonatal hospital in 2024 that killed seven newborns.

A senior MCD official said that the violations related to building facade – made by covering the balcony and window portion of the building – may have made matters worse by compromising the fire safety.

“The owners of the building clearly seem to have covered the balcony and open section of the building with toughened glass and chrome panels. The open areas of a residential property cannot be covered like this,” this official said.

AK Malik, chief fire officer of the Delhi Fire Service’s south zone, said, “The entire building is like a shaft. It is sealed from all four sides. Even in the front there is a facade, and the windows are sealed. In buildings like these, it often happens that the fire spreads rapidly.” When the blaze broke out, smoke travelled quickly through the structure, trapping guests on upper floors.