NEW DELHI, India : Authorities said Friday they have found no evidence of arson in the hotel fire that killed 37 people, including ‘one American, and they suspect the blaze was started by an electrical short circuit.
The fire Thursday in the 10story Siddharth Continental luxury hotel prompted the Indian government to order an inspection of safety facilities at all of New Delhi’s 16 five-star hotels.
Police filed a charge of negligence against the hotel for the pre~ dawn fire and have not ruled out sabotage, a claim made by the hotel’s management, Police, however, said they have found no evidence of a deliberate act.
Mortuaries at two city hospitals were crowded with relatives claiming the bodies of victims.
The fatalities included at least 22 foreigners, whose embassies were making arrangements to return them to their countries. Most of the 41 injured remained in hospitals. About six were in serious condition,
Fire officials believe an electric short circuit may have started the fire in a basement banquet hall of its adjacent kitchen. The blaze gutted the first three floors and sent dense smoke throughout the building causing most of the deaths.
No arrests were reported.
Fire officials said many of the 10 luxury hotels hastily constructed in 1982 to accommodate visitor to the Asian Games had poor fire safety facilities, and said some 0 them were “death traps”.
Chief Fire Officer S.K. Dehri said several bodies at the Sid have that hotel said ties, Asian 1982 10 ing, learned nation” would have reduced the number of deaths.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 31, 1986
