A father-son duo has been honoured for their role in rescuing people during a fire at a Malviya Nagar bed-and-breakfast in Delhi, where 21 people lost their lives. Their efforts came at a personal cost, as the family suffered significant financial losses after they used materials from their mattress shop to assist in rescue operations.
A local humanitarian organisation, Sardar Patel Seva Dal, visited their shop on Saturday and presented a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh to Riyazuddin Mansoori and Armaan Mansoori. The organisation praised their quick response and selfless act during the crisis, which it said has set an example for society.
As a devastating fire tore through the Flourish Stay B&B in Hauz Rani on Wednesday morning, the Mansooris, who run a mattress shop nearby, rushed to the spot after seeing guests struggling to escape the burning building.
With smoke quickly engulfing the five-storey structure and several occupants jumping from upper floors to save themselves, the father-son duo brought mattresses from their shop and laid them on the road to cushion the fall of those attempting to escape through windows.
According to eyewitness accounts and videos widely circulated on social media, several people were able to survive after landing on the mattresses placed below. The duo also later assisted authorities by providing sheets from their shop after the fire was brought under control.
Riyazuddin said he did not think about the financial loss while helping those trapped inside. He claimed that at least eight people were saved through the mattresses arranged outside the building.
The fire broke out around 8.30 am on June 3 and rapidly spread through the narrow building, which officials said had limited exit routes and sealed windows. Rescue teams along with local residents helped evacuate those trapped inside.
At least 58 people were rescued and taken to hospitals, while 21 were declared dead. The victims included foreign nationals who were in the city in connection with medical treatment of relatives at nearby hospitals.
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