Five relatives were killed and two survivors remained in intensive care after an early-morning fire swept through a four-story home in Hanoi on Wednesday, prompting an investigation and an urgent response from health authorities.
The scene of the fatal house fire in an alley off Thuy Khue Street in Hanoi’s Tay Ho Ward. Photo: Dinh Hieu
The fire broke out at a house in a narrow alley off Thuy Khue Street in Tay Ho Ward at around 1:50 a.m. on Sept. 16.
Residents in the neighborhood initially tried to extinguish the flames using fire extinguishers available at the scene but were unable to bring the blaze under control.
A woman living opposite the house recalled that the heat was so intense that windows on the second and third floors shattered, sending pieces of glass flying.
“At the time, several people escaped by climbing across to the roof of a neighboring beer business,” she said. “Those who made it out shouted for help, and people rushed over to try to put out the fire.”
Hanoi police’s command information center received the emergency report at 2:06 a.m. and dispatched a command vehicle, five fire engines and nearly 40 firefighters and rescue personnel from units No. 8, 10 and 14.
Unit No. 8, based about 800 meters from the house, arrived first before being joined by other emergency teams, local police, authorities and residents.
The four-story house had a floor area of about 60 square meters on each level.
By the time emergency crews reached the scene, four people had managed to escape while others remained trapped inside.
Fire commanders immediately sent rescue teams wearing breathing apparatus into the building to search each floor while other crews worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading.
The fire was largely brought under control at around 2:30 a.m. and completely extinguished by 2:45 a.m.
During search and rescue operations, firefighters found five people dead inside the house. Their bodies were subsequently handed over to medical authorities.
According to a Tay Ho Ward Party Committee official, all five victims were relatives. Two of them had only recently arrived in Hanoi from their hometown before the tragedy occurred.
The official said the property was a private residence rather than a business premises.
Two survivors in intensive care
Firefighters and rescue personnel carry a victim from the house. Photo: Dinh Hieu
Several people affected by the fire were taken to Military Hospital 354 for emergency treatment.
A hospital representative told VietNamNet that as of midday Wednesday, two patients connected to the fire remained in the hospital’s intensive and emergency care department.
One of them, aged 32, had suffered blunt chest trauma and a pneumothorax, a condition in which air enters the space between the lung and chest wall.
On Wednesday morning, the Ministry of Health’s Department of Medical Services Administration issued an urgent directive asking Military Hospital 354 to mobilize maximum resources, medicines and medical equipment to treat seriously injured patients.
The department also asked the hospital to work closely with agencies under the Hanoi People’s Committee and ensure its units were prepared to respond to the emergency.
If any case exceeded the hospital’s professional capacity, doctors were instructed to seek consultations and coordinate with higher-level medical facilities or transfer the patient promptly.
The hospital was also asked to report any difficulties or obstacles and make recommendations to relevant authorities to ensure the best possible emergency care and treatment for the victims.
Hanoi orders investigation into cause
A deputy director of Hanoi Police commands emergency operations at the scene. Photo: Hanoi Police
Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Vu Dai Thang visited the scene on Wednesday morning and ordered authorities to urgently investigate the cause of the fire.
Thang instructed city police to coordinate with municipal departments and the Tay Ho Ward administration to address the aftermath and provide support to the victims’ families.
Police were also ordered to determine whether any organizations or individuals bore responsibility for the incident and, if so, handle the matter in accordance with the law.
The city’s health and home affairs departments, Tay Ho Ward authorities and other relevant agencies were tasked with visiting the affected families and providing financial and other assistance in accordance with regulations.
Local authorities said representatives of the ward’s Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee had visited Military Hospital 354 to offer condolences and assistance to families affected by the fire.
In addition to support available under state regulations, Tay Ho Ward is providing further assistance to families of those killed and injured. Local authorities have also mobilized personnel to help the families arrange funerals and deal with the aftermath of the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Vietnamnet.vn
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