A 5-story boarding house in Cau Giay district (Hanoi) caught fire fiercely, many bodies wrapped in cloth and placed on stretchers were taken out by authorities.
According to local leaders, the death toll as of 6:20 a.m. was 14, with 3 injured.
At 6:20 a.m., Mr. Tran Sy Thanh - Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee - said that he had directed relevant units to investigate the cause, damage and implement measures to overcome the consequences of the fire. "I have given instructions and am preparing to go to the scene of the fire," Mr. Thanh said.
At 6:30 a.m., Senior Lieutenant General Tran Quoc To - Deputy Minister of Public Security - also arrived at the scene of the fire.
The fire broke out at around 0:30 a.m. on May 24 at a 5-story boarding house located in lane 119 Trung Kinh (Trung Hoa ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi).
At that moment, the fire flared up fiercely, black smoke covered the house with many loud explosions.
Upon receiving the news, the fire police mobilized many fire trucks and dozens of soldiers to the scene to put out the fire and rescue victims.
The house on fire is located deep in a small alley, about 200m from Trung Kinh street. Police had to drag in a water pipe to put out the fire.
At more than 3:00 a.m., many bodies wrapped in cloth bags and placed on stretchers were taken out by authorities.
By 4 o'clock, the fire was extinguished. Police were blocking off Zhongjing Street.
The house that caught fire has 5 floors, each floor has two rooms, the first floor is for business, the upper floors are for rent.
Early the same morning, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security, came to direct and directly inspect the scene of the fire.
According to a resident near the scene, the first floor of the house where the fire occurred is where the homeowner's family lives and runs an electric bicycle repair business. The upper floors are rented out.