A devastating fire broke out in the Hauz Rani area of New Delhi on Wednesday morning, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering desperate escape attempts from a multi-story guesthouse. Screams echoed through the narrow lanes as people hung from windows and leaped from upper floors to flee the raging flames. Hours later, the building's exterior was blackened, shattered glass and debris littered the street, and fire tenders and ambulances lined the area as emergency personnel continued rescue and firefighting operations.
Witness Accounts of Panic and Heroism
Aman Yadav, an engineer who witnessed the incident, described seeing a woman fall from the third floor of the hotel, followed moments later by her husband. According to him, several guests were stranded at windows, calling for help as thick smoke filled the building. The scene was chaotic, with many trapped inside smoke-filled rooms.
Kafeel, a judo player who had just returned home after a warm-up session, heard cries for help. Given the proximity of the building to his residence, he initially feared his own home was on fire. He soon realized 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.
Role of Overhead Electrical Wires
The locality is crisscrossed with a dense network of overhead electrical wires, many hanging low between buildings. Residents alleged these cables may have aided the fire's rapid spread. "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.
Desperate Escape Attempts
Rakesh and Dinesh, two friends among the first locals to gather at the scene, recalled seeing guests trapped at windows and balconies. Some tried to shatter glass panes using whatever objects they could find, while others searched for alternative escape routes. "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. The situation was worsened by sealed glass windows that guests could neither open nor break from within. Rescuers outside were forced to smash windows to create escape routes as thick smoke rapidly engulfed the structure.
Congested Layout Hinders Rescue
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," they said. Emergency teams continue to work at the site, and investigations into the cause of the fire are underway.
