Friday, May 24, 2024 A fire tore through an apartment complex in central Hanoi early on Friday, May 24, resulting in the deaths of 14 people and injuries to three others, according to police reports. The blaze erupted around 12:30 am in the Cau Giay district, a densely populated area known for its universities. The fire caused smoke and toxic gases to fill the building, with flames spreading rapidly.
Rescuers had to break the lock of an external gate and smash a window to enter the building, managing to rescue seven individuals trapped inside. Residents nearby reported hearing explosions similar to firecrackers and the screams of those trapped. “The fire grew strongly, destroying many motorbikes, electric bicycles, and bicycles in the yard area,” stated the Hanoi police.
By 1:26 am, the fire was completely extinguished, with 14 people found dead. Three survivors are currently receiving emergency treatment in a local hospital. The building’s corrugated metal roof collapsed, leaving a charred shell open to the sky, littered with blackened belongings and bike parts.
The complex, located down a narrow 2-meter-wide alley, consisted of two interconnected blocks with a total of 12 rental rooms. Twenty-four people were officially registered as living in the complex. The courtyard was used for selling and repairing electric bicycles, adding to the fire’s intensity.
Authorities are investigating the cause of this tragic fire, the latest in a series of deadly blazes in Vietnam. .
