In the aftermath of a tragic fire at the Flourish Stay bed and breakfast in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar, a significant number of nearby hotels and guesthouses have ceased operations, dismantled their signage, and requested their guests to vacate the premises. This occurred less than 12 hours following the blaze that resulted in the deaths of 12 foreign nationals and 9 Indian citizens.
The area surrounding Max Hospital Saket, where many medical tourists and their companions stay due to the hospital’s close proximity, is lined with numerous guesthouses, homestays, and B&Bs. Many of these establishments are situated in narrow alleyways, with buildings measuring less than 10 feet in width and having only one point of entry and exit.
On the evening of the incident, 46-year-old Ben, an interpreter from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was seen hauling his suitcase from the Flourish Inn Guest House, located just a few hundred meters from the scene of the fire. His departure came after the reception area was closed off, making him one of the last guests to leave.
“The hotel manager informed us around 4 pm that we needed to leave immediately or face consequences,” Ben stated. He noted that he was heading to East of Kailash. He had been assisting a patient, Sita Beatrice, who was staying at the B&B that caught fire; unfortunately, she did not survive. Another patient he was helping managed to escape but likely missed his flight back to Congo via Mumbai.
Ben also mentioned that the owner of Flourish Inn Guest House was absent at the time of the evacuation. A police officer stationed nearby confirmed that while the police had not mandated the closure of the hotels, inspections would be conducted to ensure compliance with regulations.
Prior to the fire, Urban Suite Oasis Rooms had a “Rooms Available” sign displayed, but by the evening, all guests had been asked to leave, and the establishment secured its doors. Local resident Dilshad remarked, “Initially, they were open, but then police began patrolling… The staff remains inside… No accommodations are available in Hauz Rani today; you will need to seek alternatives.” All nearby hotels had evacuated their guests.
Alauddin Ali, a 54-year-old driver, was seen waiting outside Micasa Homes—distinct from Micasa Inn, which is adjacent to the B&B that caught fire. He shared that an Iraqi couple he had previously dropped off was instructed to leave and was now heading to a guesthouse in Chhattarpur. Micasa Homes, located just 200 meters from the fire site, had locked its doors and turned off the reception lights, with local residents claiming that both Micasa Homes and Micasa Inn were owned by the same individual.
Nearby, another B&B, Star Light Suites, had staff members positioned outside, and when asked about room availability, they simply stated, “There are no rooms; everyone is leaving… we are closing.”
At Max Hospital, Ankit Agarwal, 34, from Gorakhpur, expressed his frustration as he sought accommodation. “Hotels near the hospital are no longer accepting bookings, and we are at a loss about what to do,” he lamented.
