Police investigations have revealed that an oil fryer left on during a tea break caused the June 3 fire at Flourish Stays B&B in Delhi's Malviya Nagar that killed 22 people.
The blaze began in the kitchen on the ground floor after cook Keshav Negi switched on an electric oil fryer and stepped away to prepare tea. The oil reached its auto-ignition temperature, igniting the ceiling and spreading rapidly through cartons and flammable materials stored on the premises. Negi tried to douse the flames but fled without alerting guests or calling emergency services. A delay of about 30 minutes before the first call to authorities allowed the fire to intensify, according to police sources. Authorities have arrested the B&B manager Rupesh and cook Negi. Accountant Jay Mishra, in whose name the licence was held, surrendered in court on June 8 and was remanded to two days in police custody. Building owner Lavkesh Bajaj remains in custody. The police are seeking technical assistance from IIT-Delhi to study the rapid spread of the fire. The building lacked required approvals and featured wood and plastic materials that accelerated the flames.
