According to eyewitnesses, most deaths were caused due to suffocation. The Fire started around 4:30 am.

The fire service and police officials pulled out several others from the hotel in a four-hour long rescue operation. Many people were severely injured and have been admitted for treatment. 

The fire started from the fourth floor of the hotel and spread till the second floor, while the ground floor and basement remained unaffected. 

The police have registered an FIR in connection with the incident and are probing if there was any negligence on part of the hotel. The cause of fire is yet to be ascertained though officials suspect a short circuit may have triggered it. The fire department will conduct an inquiry as well.

Prime minister Narndra Modi expressed grief over loss of lives in Karol Bagh Hotel fire. the Prime Minister in a tweet said .. Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a fire at Karol Bagh in Delhi. I convey my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover soon.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has ordered a magisterial probe into Karol Bagh  Hotel Fire. Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain, who visited the Arpit Palace Hotel where the fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, told reporters that he has also directed the fire department to inspect buildings which are five floors or more and submit a report on their fire safety compliance within a week.