Delhi restaurant fire kills 20 in Malviya Nagar; probe ordered

New Delhi: At least 20 people were killed in a major fire that broke out at a popular restaurant in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar area early on Wednesday, Delhi Police confirmed.

The incident occurred at the Lemon Green Restaurant building. According to officials, thick smoke quickly filled the premises after the fire started, trapping customers and staff inside the building and preventing them from escaping.

After receiving information about the incident, personnel from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) and police rushed to the spot and launched a large-scale rescue operation.

Rescue operation in basement

Fire engines were dispatched immediately after the fire control room received an emergency call in the early hours of Wednesday. Under the leadership of Ravinder, Divisional Officer of the Nehru Place Fire Station, firefighters entered the restaurant's basement despite the risks and rescued those trapped inside.

During the initial phase of the operation, 11 people were brought out of the building and shifted to nearby hospitals by ambulance. Many of them had suffered severe injuries and breathing difficulties due to smoke inhalation.

Police said 10 people died after treatment failed, while others had already succumbed to suffocation. Authorities later confirmed that the overall death toll had risen to at least 20.

Investigation ordered

Officials said it is not yet clear how many people were inside the restaurant when the fire broke out. Search operations were continuing at the site at the time of reporting.

A senior official said rescue teams responded immediately after the fire was reported and shifted the injured to hospitals, but the number of casualties increased significantly.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Authorities suspect the incident may have been triggered by a short circuit or a gas cylinder leak.

Delhi Police and senior officials from the fire department have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the blaze and whether the restaurant had complied with mandatory fire safety regulations.