Initial information indicated that the blaze started at around 8 a.m. at No. 77 Le Loi street, Nguyen Trai ward, Ha Dong district. The fire was traced to the ground floor of the building.

As the premises are used for business and contain large quantities of flammable goods and materials, the flames spread rapidly, sending a thick column of black smoke tens of metres into the air and enveloping the upper floors.

Witnesses reported scenes of panic after spotting a man trapped inside the building, who ran out onto a high-floor balcony to call for help.

Upon receiving the alarm, the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department of the Hanoi Police dispatched fire engines, ladder trucks and dozens of officers and firefighters to the scene.

At the site, responders quickly deployed high-pressure hoses to contain the blaze and used ladder trucks to reach upper levels in a search-and-rescue effort.

By 10 a.m., smoke was still rising from the building. Firefighters continued to spray water and conduct rescue operations. Emergency response work remained under way.

A representative of the functional agencies said there were no confirmed figures on casualties or property losses at that time.

Earlier, at around 11 p.m. on January 7, another fire broke out at a combined woodworking workshop and residence in Gieng hamlet, Huu Bang commune, Thach That district. The fire spread to part of a neighboring house before being fully extinguished at around 1 a.m. on January 8. No casualties were reported in that incident.

The functional agencies are investigating the causes of both fires.

Major fire breaks out at Hanoi beer factory, no casualties reported

VOV.VN - A large fire broke out on the morning of December 1 at the Hanoi Beer factory (HABECO), sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. No casualties have been reported.