The Hanoi City Police Investigation Agency has announced legal proceedings against a 51-year-old man for allegedly setting a fire at a cafe in Bac Tu Liem district, resulting in 11 deaths and multiple injuries. The tragedy occurred late Wednesday night on Pham Van Dong Street, Co Nhue 2 Ward. City police confirmed the developments on Thursday morning.
At 11:03 PM, the 114 Emergency Command Centre of the Hanoi City Police received a distress call about a fire at the cafe, with several people trapped inside. The fire engulfed the building&mdash;a multi-story structure used for electric bicycle sales and repairs on the ground floor and rental rooms on upper levels. Firefighters and local authorities rushed to the scene, battling the blaze in a narrow alley that hindered access for fire trucks. The fire was brought under control by 11:40 PM, but the damage had already been done.
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">11 fatalities were discovered at the scene.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Seven people were rescued; five are in stable condition, while two remain hospitalized for emergency treatment.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Witnesses described the fire as rapidly spreading due to gasoline fumes, blocking all exits.</li>
</ul>
The suspect, a resident of Dai Mach commune, Dong Anh district, has a criminal history, including two prior convictions for robbery and theft. Initial investigations revealed the man had been drinking beer at the cafe earlier in the evening and got into a heated argument with the staff. In retaliation, he purchased petrol, poured it over the first floor&mdash;where several motorcycles were parked&mdash;and ignited the fire before fleeing the scene. He was arrested around midnight.
At the police station, the suspect confessed to his actions, which have now led to charges of murder and arson. The Hanoi police director has urged swift investigations to uncover the full motives behind the crime and identify all victims.
The building&rsquo;s location in a narrow, two-meter-wide alley, approximately 200 meters from the main street, made it difficult for emergency vehicles to access the site. Initially, an electric bicycle short circuit was suspected as the cause, but evidence pointed to deliberate arson. The cafe&rsquo;s ground floor, packed with flammable materials, exacerbated the fire's intensity.
This tragic incident adds to a worrying trend in Vietnam. In the first four months of this year alone, 1,555 fires and explosions were reported, causing 28 fatalities and 26 injuries. Property losses from these incidents totaled approximately 89.8 billion Vietnamese dong ($3.5 million), according to the General Statistics Office.
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Latha; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: GU;">The investigation agency is working to establish the identities of the victims and provide support to the affected families. Authorities have reiterated the importance of fire safety measures, especially in densely populated urban areas.

Firefighters in Hanoi had to put out the cafe fire for four hours.

Suspect with prior convictions sets cafe ablaze in Hanoi; 11 fatalities, swift police action

Deadly Hanoi Cafe Fire: 11 Lives Lost, Suspect Arrested

Suspect with prior convictions sets cafe ablaze in Hanoi; 11 fatalities, swift police action

December 19, 2024 | 16:13 IST