Boarding house fire leaves 14 dead in Hanoi, mostly students
VOV.VN - At least 14 people, mostly students, were killed in a fire at a three-storey boarding house in Trung Hoa ward of Cau Giay district, Hanoi, on May 24 morning.
The fire broke out on the first floor - a place to repair electric motorbikes and bicycles – at around 00:40, according to local police.
As there were many flammable items inside, such as rubber tires, the fire raged fiercely, with black smoke billowing up.
Hearing about the news, firefighters were dispatched to the scene to put out the fire and support rescue work.
The boarding house is located deep in an alley, making it difficult for firefighters to work, said the police.
Competent forces had to break the main door and the window to storm into the house, rescuing seven people trapped inside.
The fire was completely extinguished after nearly an hour, and 14 people were found dead at the scene. Three injured people were taken to Transportation Hospital for emergency treatment.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen. Tran Quoc To, and Hanoi authorities rushed to the scene to direct rescue work.
Relevant agencies launched an investigation into the cause of the deadly fire.
This has been one of the deadliest fires in Hanoi over the past few years. Last September, a fire also broke out at a mini apartment building in the capital city, killing 56 people.
