May 24th 2024.
Tragedy struck in Hanoi last night as an overnight fire ravaged an apartment building in the capital city of Vietnam. According to state media, the blaze claimed the lives of 14 people, while six others were injured. The building, located in central Hanoi, was situated on a narrow alleyway that was only 2 metres wide. This made it difficult for firetrucks to reach the site, forcing firefighters to rely on hoses to contain the flames.
The fire broke out around 12:30 a.m., accompanied by several explosions, as reported by the Vietnam News Agency. It took an hour for the firefighters to extinguish the inferno. One of the residents, a man named Nguyen Thanh Trung, recalled being awoken by the loud explosions. He immediately rushed out to see what was happening and was met with shock and chaos. Trung and other neighbors quickly sprang into action, using a ladder to break a window and help people escape from the burning building.
State media revealed that the apartment building was home to 24 residents at the time of the fire. Seven of them were part of the owner's family, while the remaining 17 were tenants. The injured individuals were taken to Hanoi Transport Hospital, where they are currently in stable condition. It was also reported that the fire originated in the small courtyard in front of the building, which was being used as a garage for electric bikes.
Trung shared that the owner's family would often charge the batteries of their electric bikes at night. The alleyway was later cordoned off by police, as the charred remains of burnt motorbikes, plants, and scattered belongings remained at the site. In response to this tragedy, authorities have announced that they will provide compensation of USD 1,962 to the families of the deceased, and USD 1,177 to those who were injured.
This heartbreaking incident is reminiscent of a similar fire that occurred in Hanoi last September, claiming the lives of more than 50 people. It serves as a grim reminder of the importance of fire safety and prevention measures, and the devastating consequences that can arise if they are not properly implemented. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time.
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