Vietnam PM orders probe into Hanoi fire that killed 14

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed an official dispatch ordering urgent relief for those affected by the fatal fire in Cau Giay District early Friday as well as an investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

The fire broke out at 12.46 am at a rented building in a narrow alleyway on Trung Kinh Street, killing at least 14 people. Seven others were rescued from the scene.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control within 10 minutes, and it was completely extinguished at 1.26 am.

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha has been assigned to handle the case, while the Hanoi People’s Committee is tasked with providing support to the victims’ families and working with the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) during the investigation.

The document also stressed compliance with fire prevention and safety regulations. Ministerial and municipal-level leaders must review fire safety conditions at business establishments and rented buildings and report to the PM by July 30.

Awareness campaigns, especially on fire safety, fire evacuation, and search and rescue, must be stepped up, especially at buildings at elevated fire risks, given the hot weather.

At the National Assembly meeting on Friday morning, NA Deputy Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh offered condolences to the victims and their families and stressed vigilance for fire safety among the public.

Deputy NA Chairman Tran Quang Phuong also led a working group to the scene of the incident and hospitals where victims are being treated, alongside high-level officials from the public security ministry and Ha Noi's city government.

Praising firefighting forces for their quick actions, Deputy PM Ha urged an investigation into the case to identify the cause of the incident and any responsible parties, as well as handle any violations that occurred.

He also emphasised the need for compliance with fire safety regulations and regular inspections of high-risk establishments, such as smaller apartment buildings and rented houses with multiple residents. Relevant laws must also be strictly enforced, he noted.

Speaking to Bao Chinh Phu (Government News), the Director of Transport Hospital Dr Bui Sy Tuan Anh said that the facility is treating six victims of the fire.

Five of them are no longer in critical condition and one elderly patient remains under intensive care.

According to a press release issued by the Hanoi People’s Committee on Friday morning, the city will offer the victims’ families VND50 million (US$2,000) for each fatality and VND30 million (US$1,200) for each injured person within the day.

The fatal fire on Friday broke out at a rented building inside a narrow alleyway about 200m away from the front of Trung Kinh Street, consisting of a two-storey block, a three-storey block and an open yard for parking. There was an electric vehicle repair shop on the first floor.

According to resident registrations, the house had 10 rooms rented out to a total of 17 people. The house owner’s family of seven was also living in the residence.

This is the deadliest fire incident since the tragic fire that killed 56 people in a 'mini-apartment' building on Khuong Ha Street, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi last September. The fire was determined to have ignited from an electrical failure happening to a gasoline-powered vehicle in the parking lot on the first floor of the building. 

Viet Nam News

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