Over 21 people were killed and around 37 others were rescued in a major fire accident that occurred in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar at around 8:50 a.m. on Thursday. Nine of the victims were Indians, while 12 were foreign nationals, mostly from Liberia, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Bangladesh.
Fire broke out in the restaurant of the Flourish Stay Hotel, at the basement of the five-storey building. Soon the flames spread to Micasa Inn, near the hotel.
Amidst the tragedy, a man and his son, owning a mattress shop opposite the hotel, were praised for their timely help. Netizens showered encomiums on the father-son duo for their generosity.
During the time, mattress shop owner Riyazuddin Mansuri and his son Arman, extended timely help that prevented the accident from escalating into a major disaster. The prompt action helped in saving many people, stranded in the building.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, they got shifted mattresses and blankets worth Rs 2 lakh from their shop, to the building that was caught in fire and spread them on the ground.
People on the spot also extended help to them and several of those stranded in the building jumped to safety onto the mattresses. The injured and deceased were shifted from the place in the blankets.
Knowing about the mishap, Riyaz rushed to the place. By the time I reached, the entire basement was up in flames and those on the top floors were screaming for help. Soon we got 20-22 mattresses and blankets and spread them on the ground, he said.
Riyaz had been running the mattress shop opposite the hotel for the last four decades. “When we think of humanity, everyone is equal. I felt helping them is my responsibility,” he said.
Several others also helped in the rescue operation. Wasim Raja did CPR to several of the injured. He said that he works in a hospital and with the experience he had gained over the years in the hospital, he could help a few of the injured.
Several commoners also contributed in the rescue operation, and helped the injured.
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