Devastating fire at Hanoi coffee shop kills 11, police arrest suspect

According to the Hanoi Police Department, the suspect is a 51-year-old man residing in Dai Mach Commune, Dong Anh District. He reportedly had an altercation with the staff after drinking beer at the coffee shop.

Following the dispute, he bought petrol, poured it on the first floor, where many motorbikes were parked, set it on fire, and fled the scene.

The suspect has a criminal record with two previous convictions for robbery and theft. Authorities initiated a murder investigation and pressed charges against him.

The devastating fire broke out at the coffee shop Sing for Each Other on Pham Van Dong Street at around 11:00PM on December 18.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the fire erupted violently from the shop’s entrance, quickly spreading inside and engulfing many motorbikes parked in the front. The flame blocked the exit, trapping those inside and preventing their escape.

Firefighters arrived promptly, extinguished the blaze, and rescued some individuals, but they were unable to prevent the tragic loss of life.

After about 45 minutes, at least 10 bodies were wrapped tightly in blankets and transported by ambulances to 198 Hospital and E Hospital, located 2 kilometers away.

By 1:40AM on December 19, the search for victims concluded, and ambulances and fire trucks left the scene. The house was cordoned off to facilitate the investigation into the cause of the fire.

At the site, around five motorbikes parked on the sidewalk were completely burned down to their frames. A car sustained fire damage to its right side and rear. Inside the coffee house, furniture was destroyed by the fire, and the mechanical workshop also suffered extensive damage, with its equipment ruined.

Upon learning about the news, leaders of Hanoi rushed to the scene of the devastating fire to directly oversee the rescue operation and the investigation into the cause of the fire.