As smoke billowed out of Flourish Stay on Wednesday morning and cries for help from upper-floor windows filled the narrow lane in Hauz Rani, locals and shopkeepers rushed fearlessly towards the burning building and improvised a rescue operation that saved dozens of lives.
Among them was 61-year-old Riyazuddin, who runs a mattress shop opposite the B&B. He hurriedly began dragging mattresses under the windows on the lane beside it, while others improvised rescue equipment using whatever was available.
Locals, traders, and workers from nearby establishments converged on the scene as people trapped inside leaned out of windows, begging for help. Some attempted to force their way into the building even before emergency services arrived, only to be driven back by thick smoke and intense heat.
Sanjay Goyal, who runs a grocery shop nearby, joined Riyazuddin in arranging mattresses and bedsheets to cushion those trying to escape. Others, like Wasim Raja, a security officer at Max Hospital in Saket, moved repeatedly through the smoke-filled structure searching for survivors and administering CPR to victims.
As firefighters and rescue personnel began operations, local volunteers entered the building alongside them, encountering a scene of devastation. Among the victims, they said, was an African couple found inside a ground-floor washroom, while others were covered in soot and had severe injuries.
Thanks to the bravery of locals, 37 people were rescued, and the fire was extinguished around 10.25am. Residents also coordinated with nearby hospitals and arranged transport for the injured.
