Operated 26 rooms against a permit for 6, no fire NOC (No Objection Certificate), flammable decor — this is what police and fire authorities have found in their initial probe into the blaze that broke out at a bed and breakfast (B&B) in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday morning, claiming 21 lives.

When The Indian Express visited the spot, it found that two B&Bs, Flourish Stays and Micasa Inn, ran from one building, separated by a wall.

Sources in the police said the fire started around 8.40 am from the ground floor of Flourish B&B, where its kitchen and cafeteria were located, and spread to other floors.

According to a senior official, the government has sought a report from the Tourism department — responsible for granting permissions to set up a B&Bs in the city — on who approved the facility.

“An order has been issued to the department seeking a report on who gave permission for the Malviya Nagar B&B.

The six-storey building, comprising a basement…was allowed only six rooms…,” said the official.

While the Delhi Police has registered an FIR under the section of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against unknown persons, a Delhi Fire Service (DFS) official said the hotel owner, Luv Kesh Bajaj, had installed multiple wooden and plastic frames inside as well as outside the building as part of its decor, increasing the combustible load.

According to DFS officials, the owner had never applied for a fire NOC. The hotel also lacked adequate fire-safety equipment, they added.

Police said that a probe has found out that the license of the establishment was obtained in the name of one Jai Mishra. The hotel’s water and electricity connections were also registered in Mishra’s name, officers said, adding that he will soon be questioned.

According to the police, the B&B had guest rooms in the basement as well as on the upper three floors of the

building, with the basement housing a storeroom and two guest rooms.

“The blaze quickly spread across the ground and first floor, blocking access routes to the terrace, while thick smoke engulfed the premises. Worsening the rescue efforts, the building’s lift also stopped functioning, trapping guests who were unable to use either the lift or the staircase to escape,” an officer said, adding that many guests were asleep when the fire broke out.

Police said the fire primarily affected the basement, first, and second floors of the building, which housed 26 rooms.

“Around seven to eight people had to jump from the second and third floor of the building to save themselves. Some managed to reach the terrace, but the terrace door was initially locked,” an eyewitness told The Indian Express.

Sources said the hotel was a much sought-after place to stay for foreign nationals from African countries who came to Delhi on medical visas.

It was located near three major medical establishments: AIIMS, Max Hospital in Saket, and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital.