Authorities announce conclusion on cause of fire at mini apartment building in Hanoi

Regarding the particularly serious fire at a mini apartment building in Khuong Dinh ward (Thanh Xuan, Hanoi), which killed 56 people, on September 20, the Investigation Police Agency, Hanoi City Police announced the conclusion of the appraisal.

Scene of the fire at a mini apartment building in Hanoi. (Source: VnExpress)

According to the expert conclusion, the starting point of the fire was located in the area adjacent to the southern wall, about 2.3m from the eastern wall on the first floor inside the multi-apartment residential area located at No. 37, Lane 29/70 Khuong Ha, Khuong Dinh Ward.

The cause of the fire was determined to be an electrical short circuit in the electrical line in the battery area of the front of a gasoline-powered motorbike (scooter type) located against the southern wall of the first floor, causing the fire.

The fire then spread to the electrical cable area, the electric meter boxes mounted on the wall on the first floor and spread around, leading to a particularly serious fire that killed 56 people.

According to the appraisal conclusion, of the 4 fire extinguishers sent for appraisal, 3 have not been used and 1 has been used.

The Director of Hanoi City Police has been directing the Investigation Police Agency and the City Police to continue to urgently investigate and strictly handle the case according to the law and actively coordinate with the city's departments, branches and Thanh Xuan District People's Committee to visit, encourage and support the victims' families.

Previously, on the night of September 12 and early morning of September 13, a particularly serious fire broke out at the mini apartment building at No. 37, Alley 29/70, Khuong Ha Street, Khuong Dinh Ward (Thanh Xuan District).

The house has an area of about 200 ^m2 , 9 floors high, 1 attic, and is home to about 150 people. The fire killed 56 people and injured 37.

Source