Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 4: When a devastating fire tore through the Flourish Stay B&B in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, claiming at least 21 lives and injuring several others, it was ordinary residents who stepped forward and risked their own safety to rescue those trapped inside the burning building.
The blaze broke out at the five-storey bed-and-breakfast establishment in the Hauz Rani area, rapidly filling the premises with thick smoke and leaving many guests stranded. As panic gripped the building and some occupants were forced to jump from windows to escape the flames, local residents rushed to the spot even before emergency services arrived.
Among the first responders was Mohammad Afzal, who, along with his brothers and other residents, quickly improvised rescue measures.
“When my brothers and I arrived, the fire was already raging. We immediately brought mattresses from a nearby shop and spread them on the ground so people could jump to safety. Some managed to survive because of those mattresses, while others found different ways to escape,” Afzal said.
As the fire intensified, residents alerted the police and fire department. Once firefighters brought the blaze under control, locals joined rescue teams in entering the building and evacuating trapped occupants.
Afzal said the mattresses and bedsheets used during the rescue operation were provided by a nearby shop owner without hesitation.
“We took mattresses and bedsheets from Arman's shop. Despite the damage to his stock, he readily helped us. The bedsheets were used to carry injured victims because we had no proper rescue equipment,” he said.
Another local resident, Waseem Raja, who works at Max Hospital, used his medical training to assist victims suffering from smoke inhalation.
“We are trained to handle emergency situations and administer CPR. I applied that training inside the building, while transporting victims in ambulances and coordinating with my hospital management team,” Raja said.
He said many victims had not suffered burn injuries but had lost consciousness due to smoke inhalation.
“Their faces were blackened by smoke, but they were not burnt. We administered CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation whenever necessary. Some lives were saved through these efforts, although sadly we could not save everyone,” he added.
Another Max Hospital employee trained in firefighting and rescue operations said he joined the effort immediately after reaching the site.
“We arrived around 8.45 am and immediately began rescue operations. Later, we entered the building along with the fire brigade to bring people out. Some survived, while others unfortunately did not. Most of the victims were foreign nationals,” he said.
Among the most remarkable acts of courage came from Riyazuddin Mansoori and his son Arman Mansoori, owners of a nearby mattress shop. The father-son duo emptied their entire stock onto the street below the burning building, creating makeshift landing zones for those forced to jump from upper floors.
The mattresses seen in dramatic visuals from the scene played a crucial role in reducing injuries and helping several people survive the desperate escape.
Putting humanity before business, the duo also supplied bedsheets that were used to carry victims and assist rescue teams throughout the operation.
While the heroic efforts of local residents could not prevent the heavy loss of life, they undoubtedly helped save many who might otherwise have perished.
Amid one of Delhi's deadliest fire tragedies in recent years, the courage, compassion and quick thinking displayed by ordinary citizens served as a powerful reminder that true heroism often emerges in moments of crisis.