FIRE. HEAT. SMOKE. TERROR

New Delhi: Screams echoed through the narrow lanes of Hauz Rani on Wednesday morning, with people hanging from windows and jumping from upper floors in a desperate bid to escape the flames.

Hours later, the impact of the fire was visible -- the building’s exterior had been blackened while shattered glass and debris lay scattered across the street. Fire tenders and ambulances lined the area as emergency personnel continued rescue and firefighting operations.

Aman Yadav, an engineer who witnessed the incident, said he saw a woman fall from the third floor of the hotel, followed by her husband moments later. According to him, several guests were stranded at windows, calling out for help as thick smoke filled the building.

The locality is crisscrossed with a dense network of overhead electrical wires, many of which hang low between the buildings. Residents alleged the cables may have aided the spread of the fire. “When the fire broke out, the flames quickly caught the overhead wires. As the cables burned, the fire spread rapidly to other parts of the building, making the situation worse within minutes,” said Sohail, a resident.

Kafeel, a judo player, had just returned home after a warm-up session when he heard cries for help. Given the proximity of the building to his residence, he initially feared that his own home was on fire. He soon realised, however, that the flames had engulfed the nearby guesthouse.

“The fire had blocked the main entrance. People inside were trying desperately to get out, but that route was completely inaccessible. With the main exit engulfed in flames, many were left with few options and tried to break window panes to escape,” he said.

Rakesh and Dinesh, two friends who were among the first locals to gather at the scene, recalled seeing guests trapped at windows and balconies. Some were trying to shatter glass panes using whatever objects they could find while others searched for alternative ways to escape. “There was a pipe running along the side of the building, and some people tried to use it to climb down. But many lost their grip and fell,” Dinesh said.

As panic spread, many found themselves trapped inside smoke-filled rooms. The situation was worsened by sealed glass windows, which guests could neither open nor break from within. With thick smoke rapidly engulfing the structure, rescuers outside were forced to smash windows to create escape routes.

A resident pointed to the area’s congested layout. “The lanes are extremely narrow and lined with tall buildings on both sides. At one point, the smoke reduced visibility to almost zero. Our eyes and throats were burning, and many people were afraid to enter the lane because the smoke was thick and the fire was raging.”