Fire breaks out at apartment block

HÀ NỘI — A fire broke out at 3am this morning at an apartment compound in Thanh Xuân District, Hà Nội, Vietnam News Agency reported. No casualties were reported. 

Reportedly starting in a footwear store, the fire spread to the 5-storey apartment blocks, trapping many residents inside.

At least seven fire trucks and dozens of firefighters were deployed to the scene.

Major Nguyễn Quang Huấn, Vice Chief of firefighting, prevention, and rescue team No 8 said, “The fire started on the first floor in a shoe storage room. We prioritised rescuing people from the second floor to the fifth.”

Due to the narrow stairs and heavy smoke, rescue forces had to access the building through the balconies and used equipment to battle through the smoke. Approximately 20 people were guided to safety by the firefighters, and a further 20 had to be rescued from the fire.

“At around 3am, I was watching football then heard someone shout that there was a fire. I woke up all five people in my family to escape. Due to the heavy smoke in the stairway, we had to escape through a balcony,” said Nguyễn Sĩ Tuấn, resident on the fourth floor of the building.

Firefighters took 45 minutes to extinguish the blaze. — VNS