South Delhi hotel fire: Cook arrested, several others detained

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has arrested a cook working at a south Delhi hotel where a devastating fire killed 21 people earlier this week, with investigators alleging that his negligence may have played a role in triggering the blaze, officials said on Saturday.Several other people connected with the establishment have also been detained and are being questioned as part of the ongoing probe into the fire at Flourish Stays Bed and Breakfast in the Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar.The arrested cook has been identified as Keshav Negi. According to police sources, preliminary findings suggest his actions may have contributed to the outbreak of the fire.Investigators are examining the sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the incident, while questioning hotel staff and others associated with the property’s operations.The latest arrest comes as Delhi Police expands its investigation into alleged safety violations, unauthorised construction and the role of individuals involved in the management and day-to-day functioning of the hotel.The fire broke out on Wednesday morning, killing 21 people, including a 16-year-old girl and several foreign nationals from Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Iraq, Congo, Mozambique and Liberia.Police had earlier arrested hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj and booked him under charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Investigators are examining whether negligence, violations of fire safety norms and unauthorised alterations to the property contributed to the high death toll.