04 June,2026 01:50 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Officials arrive at the spot amid investigation at the spot. PIC/PTI
Preliminary investigations into the deadly fire at a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar have pointed to a possible electrical short circuit as the cause of the blaze that killed 21 people.
The officials said that they were continuing their investigation, with forensic experts examining the site to determine exactly how the fire started, as per IANS.
A massive fire broke out in a five-storey hotel building located in the congested Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar, leading to one of the city's worst recent fire tragedies.
According to Delhi Police sources, the building had two kitchens, one in the basement and another on the top floor. LPG cylinders were stored in both locations.
However, investigators have not found any signs of an LPG cylinder explosion, as per the news agency.
Police sources said that fires of this nature often spread rapidly when a short circuit occurs within a building's internal electrical wiring system. While the initial findings point towards an electrical fault, officials stressed that the exact cause will only be confirmed after a detailed forensic examination.
Police investigations revealed that Bajaj purchased the property in 2022 from a previous owner identified as Ahluwalia and later converted it into a hotel-cum-guest house, as per news reports.
Before its conversion, the building reportedly housed a Khadi store and was already in poor condition.
Investigators are now examining whether the structure met required safety standards before being used as a hospitality establishment.
Moreover, possible regulatory violations have also come to light as according to investigators, Bajaj had received permission to operate under the Bed-and-Breakfast (BnB) scheme, which allows only six rooms to be used for guest accommodation.
However, police sources said the property was allegedly operating around 25 rooms, including several in the basement. The findings have raised serious concerns about compliance with safety regulations and whether overcrowding may have worsened the impact of the fire, reported the news agency.
As the investigation progresses, officials are expected to examine both the cause of the blaze and potential violations that may have contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, authorities say their immediate priority is the treatment and recovery of those injured in the incident.
BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay, who represents the Malviya Nagar constituency, said, "There are a total of 17 injured people receiving treatment. Our foremost concern is their well-being," reported the news agency.
He added that Delhi Chief Minister had personally interacted with the injured patients and that their condition had improved since the day of the fire. "I am pleased to say that their condition today is significantly better and more stable than it was yesterday," Upadhyay said.
