VietNamNet Bridge – An old wood-made apartment building in Ham Tu Quan Street, Hoan Kiem District was burnt down at around 8am of August 25. A 91-year-old woman was stuck in the fire.

Six fire trucks and tens of fire fighters were sent to the site but they could not rescue the building. The fire was controlled at 10.35am, before it could spread to adjacent houses.

The two-storey, 500sq.m apartment block was the home to 36 families, totaling 108 people. The building was built in the 60s.

The flame first flared up from an apartment in the building. It is suspected that the fire was caused by gas leak.

Ms. Hoang Thi Ram, 91, died in the fire. In addition, 17 surrounding houses were partly damaged.

36 families whose apartments were ruined completely were temporarily settled down at another building. The local authorities gave each family VND6 million ($300).

Some statues were blackened at Bung Coc Buddhist Temple.

In late 2005, 40 wood-made houses also in Ham Tu Quan Street were burnt.

There are 8 similar apartment blocks in Chuong Duong Ward which need to be removed to avoid fires.

In related news, several fires were reported in Vietnam during the weekend.

On the afternoon of August 25, Bung Coc Buddhist Temple in the southern province of Soc Trung caught fire. Dozens of fire fighters and more than 300 locals joined hands to stamp out the fire.

The fire was extinguished nearly within one hour. Luckily, the fire did not damage the temple. Some statues were blackened.

Local officials said perhaps the fire was caused by big candles (9-10kg in weight) in the pagoda.

On the afternoon of August 26, a packing shop in My Tho market in the southern province of Tien Giang became inflamed. The fire spread to two adjacent shops, burning down a lot of assets. The fire was controlled in half an hour later.

Tien Giang province’s Vice Chair Le Van Huong said the fire did not cause harm to anyone but caused huge losses.

The fire at the old apartment building in Hanoi:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compiled by Thu Ha