A devastating overnight fire in an apartment building in Hanoi, Vietnam, claimed the lives of 14 people and injured six others, according to state media reports. The building was located in a narrow alley, just 6.5 feet wide, which made it inaccessible to firetrucks. Firefighters had to use hoses to contain the blaze, which started in a courtyard used as a garage for selling and repairing electric bikes. Batteries for the bikes were often charged at night, leading to the tragic incident.
The fire broke out around 12:30 a.m. and was accompanied by several explosions, taking an hour to extinguish. Residents in the area were shocked by the incident, with one neighbor, Nguyen Thanh Trung, describing how he and others rushed to help those trapped in the building. The 24 residents of the building included seven members of the owner’s family and 17 tenants. Authorities reported that the injured individuals were in stable condition and receiving treatment at Hanoi Transport Hospital.
The small courtyard where the fire originated was the site of a garage used for the sale and repair of electric bikes. The family who owned the building would frequently charge the bikes’ batteries overnight. Following the incident, the alley was cordoned off by police, with the charred remains of burnt motorbikes and other belongings scattered around the apartment. The local government announced plans to provide compensation of $1,962 to the families of the deceased and $1,177 to the injured individuals.
This tragic fire was reminiscent of a similar incident in Hanoi the previous year, where over 50 people lost their lives in a blaze due to difficult rescue operations in the city’s narrow lanes. Such incidents highlight the challenges faced by emergency responders in densely populated urban areas with limited access. Fire safety measures and infrastructure improvements are crucial to preventing such disasters and ensuring the safety of residents in vulnerable communities. The government has a responsibility to address these issues and implement effective safety regulations to protect citizens from future tragedies.
