Dhoni, cricketers evacuated after fire at hotel

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) A fire broke out in a Delhi hotel on Friday, leading to the evacuation of former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and players from Jharkhand, Bengal and Tamil Nadu. No one was hurt.

After a fire call was received at 6.30 a.m., 30 fire tenders reached WelcomHotel in Dwarka, the Delhi Fire Service told IANS.

According to informed sources, the players and officials only came to know about the fire after their rooms were filled with dense smoke.

"It took around an hour to douse the flames," a fire service officer said. "No casualties were reported."

Deputy Commissioner of Police Surendra Kumar said that all players including Dhoni, who is leading the Jharkhand team, were safely evacuated.

"The incident took place just before the Jharkhand team was to leave for net practice," Kumar added.

The Jharkhand and Bengal squads, which was also put up at the hotel, were scheduled to take on each other in the second semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Friday. The match was postponed.

The Tamil Nadu team, which has reached the final, was also staying at the same hotel.

The incident occurred before the start of the second semi-final of the domestic 50-over tournament at the Air Force Complex Ground in Palam.

The Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu players later assembled outside the hotel, eagerly waiting to retrieve their belongings, including kits.

All three teams have been shifted to another hotel.

The incident forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to postpone the second semi-final and the final of the tournament.

The venue of the second semi-final was also shifted to the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium where Bengal and Jharkhand will battle it out for a place in the summit clash on Saturday.

The final will now take place on Monday instead of Sunday, the BCCI said.