Police arrested a hotel cook in Delhi on Sunday after he said an electric stove explosion triggered a fire that killed 21 people [1].
The arrest marks a critical turn in the investigation into the blaze at Flourish Stay Bed and Breakfast, as authorities seek to determine if negligence or equipment failure caused the mass casualty event.
Keshav Negi, the chef at the establishment also known as Flourish Inn Stays, is currently in two-day police custody [2]. The incident occurred in the Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar. During questioning, Negi said a sequence of events started with a mechanical failure in the kitchen.
"Stove exploded, then I cut power," Negi said [3].
According to reports, the fire spread rapidly through the building following the explosion. Negi said he cut the power supply before fleeing the scene [4]. Police are now examining whether the stove was properly maintained and if the building's safety protocols were followed.
The death toll of 21 [1] has prompted a wider probe into the safety of bed and breakfasts in the district. Investigators are focusing on the timing of the explosion and the speed at which the flames engulfed the guest rooms.
Authorities have not yet released a final forensic report on the stove. The two-day custody period allows police to cross-reference Negi's statement with physical evidence recovered from the kitchen debris [2].
“"Stove exploded, then I cut power,"”
This development shifts the focus of the investigation from a general accident to potential individual or systemic negligence. If the explosion was caused by poorly maintained equipment or a violation of safety codes, the owners of Flourish Stay may face additional legal liability beyond the immediate actions of the staff.
