A residential complex in central Hanoi, Vietnam was the site of a massive fire early Friday morning, May 24, 2024, which took 14 lives and wounded six others. The fire started around 12:30 a.m. local time, producing large clouds of smoke and harmful gases, while rescuers raced to the scene to assist those trapped inside.
Eye-witnesses reported unsettling scenes of panic and desperation as explosions, likened to the sound of firecrackers, shook the building and terrified screams filled the air. Residents reported their fright and panic as they ran from the blaze, with one resident stating, “We were so, so scared.”
Nguyen Thanh Trung, who lives nearby, narrated the disorder and immediate response, revealing that he and others used a ladder to shatter windows and help residents escape.
The apartment building is located in the Cau Giay district of Vietnam’s capital, a densely populated area. The complex is made up of two interconnected blocks, one two-story and the other three-story. The courtyard, used as a makeshift garage for selling and repairing electric bicycles, became the focal point of the fire, which amplified the intensity of the blaze and hampered rescue efforts.
Rescue workers encountered significant obstacles due to the building’s position down a narrow alley, hindering fire trucks from promptly reaching the scene. Despite their attempts, the fire ravaged the complex, leading to the collapse of the corrugated metal roof and reducing the building to a charred shell.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by authorities. This incident is the latest in a string of fatal fires in Vietnam, where residential buildings often lack safety measures such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, increasing the occurrence of such events.
Following past tragedies, including a fire that claimed 56 lives in a Hanoi apartment building last September, the Vietnamese government has started implementing measures to enhance fire safety regulations and inspections. Nevertheless, fatal fires continue to be a regular risk in Vietnam’s tightly packed urban areas.
