New Delhi, June 3 -- At least 21 people lost their lives while more than 40 others were rescued after a massive fire broke out at a hotel-cum-guest house in Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday morning, officials said.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as flames rapidly engulfed the multi-storey building, forcing several occupants to jump from upper floors in a desperate attempt to save themselves.

A resident, Sher Khan, said the fire initially appeared minor before spreading rapidly across the building.

"I was going to the shop in the morning. There was a small fire here at first, then it kept increasing. As the fire increased, it seemed as if there was no way to escape. People spread mattresses on the ground, and some people ...