Delhi Fire Update: Nearly 20 People Killed In Malviya Nagar Restaurant Fire; Rescue Operation Underway

At least 21 people died after a fire swept through the Lemon Green Restaurant in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, prompting a large rescue operation by Delhi Fire Services and Delhi Police, while search teams continued checking the damaged building for any more trapped occupants.

Officials said the blaze started during morning hours when several people were inside the multi-storey premises. The exact number present at the time remained unclear, so emergency crews kept combing the restaurant, including upper floors and the basement, to ensure no one was left inside the smoke-filled structure.

Delhi Malviya Nagar fire: Rescue operation and emergency response

Delhi Fire Services stated that a distress call reached the control room in the morning. Multiple firefighting vehicles were dispatched, including two water tenders, two water bowsers, a quick response vehicle and other specialised equipment, as firefighters rushed to Malviya Nagar and began dousing flames while also attempting internal rescues.

During the operation, teams entered the restaurant's basement, where some people were trapped. Divisional Officer Ravinder from the Nehru Place fire station supervised efforts on the ground. Earlier, DFS officials said 11 people were rescued from the building and taken to nearby hospitals by Centralised Accident and Trauma Services ambulances.

Delhi Malviya Nagar fire: Official statement and government response

One official described the sequence of events, saying, "A fire broke out at a restaurant in Malviya Nagar. Delhi Fire Services received a call and immediately dispatched firefighting units to the scene. Rescue operations were carried out and the injured were shifted to hospitals," an official said, as teams continued cooling and checking operations.

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta expressed sorrow over the deaths and said the administration monitored developments closely. Gupta posted on X that emergency teams from Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority and CATS Ambulance Services were mobilised soon after information arrived, which authorities said helped save and evacuate several people.

The chief minister offered support to affected families and stressed that medical care was being arranged for the injured. Gupta said, "In this hour of grief, Delhi Government stands firmly with the affected families. We remain committed to providing every possible support to those impacted by this tragedy," while officials coordinated relief and information for relatives.

Delhi Police initially confirmed at least 10 deaths, but the toll later rose to 21 as more victims were found. Authorities said the cause of the Lemon Green Restaurant fire had not been determined, and an investigation was launched to check how the blaze began and whether any fire safety rules were violated.