At least 20 people were killed and dozens injured after a major fire broke out at the multi-storeyed Lemon Green Restaurant building in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, prompting a large-scale rescue operation by emergency services.
Officials said 37 people had been rescued and shifted to hospitals, while search teams continued combing through the building amid fears that additional occupants could still be trapped inside.
According to authorities, some people attempted to jump from the upper floors in an effort to escape the flames and smoke. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals.
Senior officers from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services and other rescue agencies remained at the site overseeing operations and coordinating emergency response efforts.
Fire officials said ten fire tenders were rushed to the location after information about the blaze was received. The fire was subsequently brought under control, but not before causing extensive damage to the structure.
Speaking to reporters at the site, SDM Jitender Kumar said, “I received information in the morning, and teams were instructed to reach the spot immediately. I myself was supposed to go for training, but I left it and came here. It has been found that a restaurant was operating in the basement of the building. The exact cause is not yet known, but most likely the fire started there. The investigation is still underway.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, though preliminary findings indicate that it may have originated in the basement area where the restaurant was operating. Officials said a detailed investigation has been launched to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
Rescue personnel continued their search through the day, checking various sections of the building for survivors and ensuring that no one remained trapped inside.
Kumar also warned that action would be taken against those found violating safety regulations.
“Strict action will be taken against those who are violating the rules. It is necessary to take strict action against them. I will also instruct the concerned department to ensure action is taken against those who are illegally carrying out such activities and running operations under the guise of permissions,” he said.
The incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety compliance in commercial establishments in the national capital.
The fire comes less than a day after another major emergency in Delhi, where ten people were injured following a suspected LPG cylinder explosion that triggered the collapse of a building in the Mukundpur area on Tuesday morning.
Officials said rescue and investigation efforts would continue until all occupants are accounted for and the cause of the fire is established.
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