Five persons were confirmed dead after a fire broke out at a house in Central Highlands’ Lam Dong Province’s Da Lat City on Monday night.

Firefighters are working to put out the fire. 

The incident took place at some 7.20pm at the 30sq.m house of Nguyen Van Thang, 42, on Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 10. The fire then spread to adjacent houses.

Four of the victims were members of Thăng’s family. The fifth victim is yet to be identified.

Five fire brigades and many fire fighters in Lam Dong Province were mobilised to the scene soon after the fire was reported. It took some one hour for the fire to be put out.

Local witnesses said they heard an explosion when the fire broke out. Although people from the adjacent houses managed to escape, a lot of their furniture was destroyed in the fire.

Ton Thien San, vice chairman of Da Lat City People’s Committee, said the city authorities had arranged for temporary accommodation for the affected families and would provide them financial support to help them recover.

Local police are investigating the case. — VNS