A residential complex in central Hanoi, Vietnam was engulfed by a devastating fire in the early hours of Friday, May 24, 2024, resulting in the death of 14 individuals and injuries to three others, as reported by local officials. The fire, which began around 12:30 a.m. local time, filled the sky with smoke and harmful gases while rescue personnel rushed to the scene.
Eye-witness accounts painted a picture of turmoil and panic as explosions, likened to the sound of firecrackers, shook the building and cries for help filled the air. Inhabitants shared their terror and alarm while fleeing from the raging fire. One resident voiced, “We were so, so scared.”
Nguyen Thanh Trung, a neighbor, provided a firsthand account of the confusion and immediate response, noting that he and others used a ladder to shatter windows and aid residents in their escape.
The residential complex, located in the crowded Cau Giay district of Vietnam’s capital, comprised two conjoined blocks, one two-story and the other three-story. The courtyard, used as an ad-hoc garage for the sale and repair of electric bicycles, became the center of the fire, exacerbating the flames and complicating rescue operations.
Rescue workers encountered significant obstacles in reaching the building due to its position in a narrow alley, which hindered fire trucks from arriving on scene in a timely manner. Despite their efforts, the fire ravaged the complex, causing the corrugated metal roof to cave in and reducing the building to a burnt-out shell.
Local authorities are presently examining the fire’s origin, the most recent in a string of fatal fires in Vietnam. Residential buildings often lack essential safety equipment such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, which contributes to the high incidence of such events.
In reaction to earlier tragedies, including a fire that took 56 lives in a Hanoi apartment building last September, the government has introduced measures to enhance fire safety regulations and inspections. However, lethal fires remain a frequent risk in Vietnam’s densely populated urban areas.
