Malviya Nagar fire LIVE News: At least 21 people have been reported killed after a fire broke out at a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday, prompting a major rescue operation by the Delhi Fire Services (DFS).A deadly fire swept through a hotel operating without a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) in a congested lane of south Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people, including 12 foreign nationals who had been staying there while their relatives received treatment at nearby hospitals. Officials warned that the death toll could rise, as several of the injured remain in critical condition. The blaze is among the deadliest fire tragedies reported in the national capital in recent years.Meanwhile, Delhi Police has arrested the hotel's owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, in connection with the incident, officials said. Why people for trapped in the fire? The smoke filled the staircase, cutting off the main escape route for guests throughout the building (uppercase floors as well as basement). Locals alleged some occupants struggled to open room doors fitted with digital locks. Delhi CM orders magisterial probe into Malviya Nagar hotel fire The Delhi Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Wednesday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the devastating fire at a hotel in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar that claimed 21 lives. In a post on X, the CMO said an FIR has been registered against the property owner and assured that all lapses leading to the tragedy would be thoroughly investigated. "The lapses that culminated in the tragic fire at a guest house in Malviya Nagar will be examined with utmost seriousness, and accountability will be fixed wherever it lies," the CMO said. ...Read MoreMeanwhile, Delhi Police has arrested the hotel's owner, Lavkesh Bajaj, in connection with the incident, officials said. Why people for trapped in the fire? The smoke filled the staircase, cutting off the main escape route for guests throughout the building (uppercase floors as well as basement). Locals alleged some occupants struggled to open room doors fitted with digital locks. Delhi CM orders magisterial probe into Malviya Nagar hotel fire The Delhi Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Wednesday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the devastating fire at a hotel in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar that claimed 21 lives. In a post on X, the CMO said an FIR has been registered against the property owner and assured that all lapses leading to the tragedy would be thoroughly investigated. "The lapses that culminated in the tragic fire at a guest house in Malviya Nagar will be examined with utmost seriousness, and accountability will be fixed wherever it lies," the CMO said. Follow all the updates here:Jun 04, 2026 7:34:24 AM ISTMalviya Nagar fire news LIVE: The Delhi chief minister's Office (CMO) has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the Malviya Nagar hotel fire that killed 21 people. An FIR has also been registered against the property owner. The CMO said all lapses leading to the tragedy would be examined seriously and accountability fixed wherever necessary. (PTI)Jun 04, 2026 7:28:17 AM ISTMalviya Nagar fire news LIVE: The staircase was quickly engulfed in smoke, cutting off the primary escape route for guests on the upper floors as well as in the basement, HT has reported. Local residents alleged that some occupants were unable to open room doors equipped with digital locks, further hampering evacuation efforts. Jun 04, 2026 7:13:37 AM ISTMalviya Nagar fire LIVE news: Delhi Police on Thursday arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj. The police had earlier issued a lookout circular (LOC) against Bajaj and his wife and launched a manhunt to locate them.