17 die in massive fire in Delhi’s Arpit Palace hotel
Police and fire tenders gathered at spot in Karol Bagh where fire broke out leading to death of 17 people (Photo : IANS)
Photo : IANS
New Delhi | Atleast 17 people including a child and a woman were killed in a fire that broke out at a Central Delhi hotel early on Tuesday morning. Three others were also injured. The major fire had engulfed the several storeys of the hotel.
News agency ANI reported that 17 people died in the fire that broke out in Hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh today.
At least 35 others were rescued from the six-storeyed building, while three jumped off the upper floors of the hotel in Karol Bagh to save their lives.
The death toll could further rise. Most victims died of suffocation, Fire Chief Officer G.C. Mishra said.
A call was received at 4.30 a.m. from Arpit Palace Hotel and immediately 25 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, the officer at the Delhi Fire Department headquarters told IANS.
The hotel comprises of basement, ground floor and four other floors. At least 35 rooms were booked by one family who were in the city for a special function.
Fire was reported on third and fourth floor, but the blaze spiralled down as well. Only the basement and ground floor were not affected.
Most of the tragedies were reported between the second and the fourth floor. The fire has already been controlled and the cooling process was underway.
Fire fighters searched rooms and toilets to ensure that none was left trapped, Mishra said.
“When the fire tenders reached the spot, flames were leaping out of the building. Many people were still fast asleep at that time,” he said.
Prima facie the blaze appears to have caused by a short circuit, the officer added.
By EP Web Desk
(With Inputs From IANS)
Updated on : Feb 12, 2019 at 10:36 IST
