The death toll from the devastating fire at Flourish Stays Bed and Breakfast in South Delhi's Hauz Rani area has risen to 22 after a Nigerian national succumbed to burn injuries during treatment, police confirmed on Sunday.
The victim, a middle-aged Nigerian man who had been staying at the hotel for several days, was initially rushed to a nearby hospital before being referred to Safdarjung Hospital. He died on Saturday while undergoing treatment for severe burns. Authorities have informed the Nigerian Embassy of the development.
With his death, the number of foreign nationals killed in the blaze has increased to 13, according to police officials.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police have stepped up efforts to locate the hotel's accountant, Jay Mishra, and manager, Rakesh, both of whom remain untraceable following the incident. Their search comes after the arrest of the hotel's cook, Keshav Negi, and the property's owner.
Investigators revealed that three hotel employees were present when the fire broke out: chef Keshav Negi, manager Rakesh, and a helper who was asleep on an upper floor.
According to police, the fire originated in the hotel's ground-floor kitchen. Negi allegedly noticed sparks coming from an air fryer, which triggered a heat blast. However, officers claim that instead of alerting guests or staff, he fled the premises without raising an alarm.
"Negi could have assisted in rescue efforts or informed emergency services, as he was present when the fire started," an officer involved in the investigation said. Police stated that evidence gathered during the inquiry led to his arrest on allegations of negligence and culpability.
On Sunday, investigators took Negi back to the hotel to reconstruct the sequence of events. He was questioned about the fire's origin and his actions immediately after the blaze erupted.
The arrest of Negi has drawn political attention after his family alleged that he was innocent and had been wrongly implicated.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he had spoken with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta regarding the case.
In a post on social media platform X, Dhami stated that Gupta assured him that no innocent individual would face injustice and that the investigation would proceed strictly on the basis of facts and evidence.
"We have full confidence that the Delhi Government and the concerned agencies will bring the truth to light through a fair and impartial investigation," Dhami said.
He also spoke with Negi's daughter, Kanishka Negi, assuring her of the Uttarakhand government's support. "Our government stands shoulder to shoulder with all migrant Uttarakhandi brothers and sisters living across the country," he added.
Negi, who lives in East Delhi's Dilshad Garden with his wife and two children, had reportedly been employed at the hotel for the past two years.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding one of the deadliest hotel fires in recent years. Police are focusing on the cause of the blaze, emergency response measures, and the actions of hotel staff before and after the incident.
As investigators work to establish accountability, the tragedy has raised renewed concerns about fire safety compliance and emergency preparedness in hospitality establishments across the capital.
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