Early on the morning of May 24, 2024, a catastrophic fire swept through a residential building complex in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam. According to local officials, 14 people lost their lives, and an additional six were injured. The fire started around 12:30 a.m. local time, sending dense smoke and harmful gases into the air as rescue teams hurried to the site to assist those caught in the building.
Onlookers recalled terrifying scenes of confusion and desperation, as explosions similar to the sound of firecrackers shook the structure and cries for help filled the air. Residents recalled their fear and panic as they evacuated the burning building. One resident stated, “We were so, so scared.”
Nguyen Thanh Trung, a neighboring resident, described the chaotic scene and the immediate response to the fire. He mentioned that he and others used a ladder to break windows and help building residents escape.
The affected apartment complex, located in the densely populated Cau Giay district of Vietnam’s capital, comprised two interconnected blocks; one was two stories high, and the other was three stories high. The courtyard, which was used as an impromptu garage for selling and repairing electric bicycles, became the focal point of the fire. This amplified the severity of the blaze and complicated the rescue efforts.
Rescue teams had difficulty accessing the building due to its placement in a narrow alley, which delayed the arrival of fire trucks at the scene. Despite their best efforts, the fire ravaged the complex, causing the corrugated metal roof to cave in and leaving the building a burned-out shell.
Local authorities are in the process of investigating the fire’s cause. This incident is the latest in a string of fatal fires in Vietnam, where residential buildings often lack basic safety features like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, leading to an increase in such incidents.
Following previous disasters, including a fire that resulted in 56 fatalities in a Hanoi apartment block last September, the government has taken steps to enhance fire safety regulations and inspections. However, deadly fires continue to be a regular risk in the densely populated urban areas of Vietnam.
