New Delhi: Three months after a fire engulfed a bed-and-breakfast (B&B) facility in Hauz Rani, killing 23 people including 14 foreign nationals, residents are slowly getting accustomed to the absence of foreign faces on their streets.
The establishment that caught fire had 25 rooms illegally operating across four floors, a basement and an improvised rooftop facility. “Everyone in the building left due to the smoke from the accident, according to a passerby.
“When everything is closed, who will want to come here?” said Musharat Ali, an auto driver. Once brimming with relatives of medical tourists who arrived from various nations to receive treatment in nearby hospitals, the area has quieted down in the past few months with memories of the deadly fire at Flourish Stays B&B. The Mansuris’ mattress shop was one of many affected by the reduced footfall in Hauz Rani market after the fire. One side of the street was cordoned off by police using barricades to stop people from entering the accident site. However, tenants have become slightly wary of living in the area. During a spot visit, a building located opposite the B&B was found deserted, all its flats locked from the outside. No one has returned to live here since. Autorickshaws rush past the narrow lane, once a frequent stoppage point, where several homestays and B&Bs are located. Following the fire, all such establishments were sealed by police. Hauz Rani was favoured by medical tourists for its budget friendly accommodation options. B&B norms specify a maximum of six rooms with double beds. It flouted several other norms, including illegal expansion of property and absence of a fire no-objection certificate, and also had no emergency fire exit. The chargesheet filed by Delhi Police named Lovkesh Bajaj, owner of the B&B, manager-cum-accountant Jay Mishra and cook Keshar Negi as the accused in the case.
The barricades were removed on Monday and sales have increased since, he told TOI .