Eyewitness videos from the scene showed horrifying moments as several occupants, including women, were forced to jump from upper floors in a desperate attempt to escape the advancing flames. In one of the most distressing sequences, two women were seen jumping from the building onto the road below to save their lives as the fire intensified.
Local residents rushed to the spot and arranged mattresses on the road in an attempt to cushion the fall of those trapped inside. Several of those who jumped were reportedly rescued with the help of these makeshift arrangements.
Jitendra Kumar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority for South District, confirmed that the restaurant was operating on the ground floor of the building. He stated that the cause of the fire remains unknown and added that individuals trapped on the upper floors resorted to jumping onto mattresses placed by locals. Fire officials continued efforts to bring the blaze under control as they struggled against rapidly spreading flames.
The building, situated in the congested lanes of Hauz Rani, housed a basement restaurant and approximately 25 rooms. It was accommodating around 40 guests at the time of the incident, most of whom were foreign nationals who had come to India for medical treatment and related support.
The incident has left the narrow locality of Hauz Rani in shock, as emergency teams continue investigation and rescue operations in the aftermath of one of the most severe urban fire tragedies reported in the area.
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