Delhi police took arrested cook Keshav Negi back to the scene of a fatal fire at the Flourish Stay Bed and Breakfast in Malviya Nagar.

The reconstruction is part of an ongoing investigation into whether negligence led to the deaths of 21 people [1]. The incident has raised urgent questions about fire safety and the liability of staff in small-scale hospitality establishments.

Negi was detained on suspicion that his actions or omissions ignited the blaze, which broke out on June 3, 2024 [3]. At the time of reporting, he had spent two days in police custody [4]. Investigators brought him to the site to recreate the events leading up to the disaster.

The fire resulted in the deaths of nine Indian nationals [3] and 12 foreign nationals [3]. The high number of foreign casualties increases the international scrutiny of the case.

There are conflicting accounts regarding the exact cause of the fire. Police said that Negi's negligence, specifically a cooking gas leak, ignited the blaze [1]. However, other reports state that Negi said an electric stove exploded, which then led to the fire [5].

The Flourish Stay Bed and Breakfast, also referred to as the Flourish Inn, was the site of the tragedy. Authorities are using the reconstruction process to determine if the fire started from a gas leak or a mechanical failure of an electric appliance. The findings will determine the specific charges filed against Negi as the legal process continues.

“The fire resulted in the deaths of nine Indian nationals and 12 foreign nationals.”

The investigation into the Malviya Nagar fire highlights the critical intersection of staff negligence and building safety codes in Delhi's B&B sector. Because the casualties include a significant number of foreign nationals, the outcome of this case may influence how the city regulates short-term rentals and manages the safety expectations of international travelers.