New Delhi: On Tuesday morning, at least 17 persons, including a woman and a child, were killed, and several others injured after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in Delhi’s Karol Bagh area at around 4:30 am. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased. At least 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flame in Hotel Arpit Palace, news agency ANI reported. The hotel staff also tried to douse the fire.

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Delhi minister Satyendra Jain said the district magistrate has ordered an inquiry into the matter, adding “strict action” will be taken against those found guilty of negligence. “As many as 17 people had died and two others were injured. Most of the people died due to suffocation. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty of negligence. District Magistrate has ordered inquiry,” Jain said. 

At least 45 people, who were trapped inside the hotel, have been rescued by the fire department while the injured were rushed to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for medical treatment. The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.Vipin Kental, a fire official said, "Cause of the fire is yet to be investigated. 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The rescue operation is over. There was a wooden paneling on the corridor because of which people were not able to use corridors to evacuate, therefore two people jumped off the building to escape the flames,"  .He further informed that the hotel did have NOC, and exit passages.

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