At least 17 dead as fire engulfs hotel in popular New Delhi tourist hub

At least 17 people died in a fire that ripped through a budget hotel in the Indian capital New Delhi early Tuesday, police said.

The blaze broke out in the Hotel Arpit Palace, in the central Karol Bagh area, about 4:30am local time.

Among the dead were a woman and a child who jumped off a hotel terrace.

Virendra Singh, Delhi's deputy fire chief, said 35 people were rescued by firefighters, with 19 taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

About 30 fire engines were dispatched to the scene. The blaze was under control by 8:am.

Officials have not yet been able to determine the cause of the fire.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences on Tuesday.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a fire at Karol Bagh in Delhi," he said. "I convey my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover soon."

Popular with tourists, Karol Bagh is close to the Connaught Place business and financial hub.