Witness account of gasoline fire that killed 11 people in Hanoi

(NLDO) - The subject approached the scene to set fire, causing a horrific fire that killed 11 people at a karaoke bar on Pham Van Dong Street, Hanoi.

Scene of the fire that killed 11 people

On the morning of December 19, the Investigation Police Agency of Hanoi City Police issued a Decision to prosecute the case of "Murder" and prosecute the accused CVH (born in 1973, residing in Dai Mach commune, Dong Anh district, Hanoi) to investigate and handle the act of burning down a coffee shop (used as a "singing for each other" shop) causing many deaths at 258 Pham Van Dong street, Bac Tu Liem district on the night of December 18.

At the police station, CVH initially confessed that H. went to the cafe to drink beer and then had a conflict with the cafe staff, so he bought gasoline and poured it on the first floor of the cafe (where there were many motorbikes) and then set it on fire; when he saw the fire, H. left. According to the police, H. had two previous convictions for robbery and theft.

The victim was taken out.

Currently, the City Police Director continues to direct the City Police Investigation Agency to quickly investigate and clarify the cause, motive, and purpose of the crime of the accused to strictly handle it according to regulations and verify and clarify the identities of the victims.

Along with that, directing relevant units, Bac Tu Liem District Police coordinated with City Departments, branches and sectors to visit, encourage and support the families of the victims and urgently overcome the consequences of the fire.

Camera captures suspect holding bucket of gasoline causing coffee shop to burn down, killing 11 people

Mr. D.D.Tr., a witness to the fire at the singing cafe at 258 Pham Van Dong, said: A few seconds before the fire, we saw the silhouette of a man approaching the parking area in front of the shop and then showing signs of pouring gasoline on it and setting it on fire. The fire broke out very quickly and fiercely, so we could not provide much rescue support. This is a very sad incident.

Ms. NTH (living next to the coffee shop where the fire broke out) recounted that at around 11pm on December 18, when she and her young child were inside the house preparing to go to bed, they heard many explosions right next to their house. A moment later, Ms. H. heard many people shouting that there was a fire. She ran out to Pham Van Dong street and saw that the fire in the karaoke bar had flared up, spreading out the door and burning many cars parked in front of the door. The fire was raging on all floors and then spread to the house next door. "We were outside and couldn't do anything. Then, we saw the fire department arrive," Ms. H. recalled in shock.

Mr. D.D.Tr., witness to the coffee shop fire

Mr. N.D.T. (living on Pham Van Dong Street) recounted: "When I ran over, the fire was raging from the motorbikes parked in front of the house, so I couldn't put it out. Because the fire was raging, I and some other residents quickly called the fire police. The house where the fire broke out was a karaoke bar with 3 floors and 1 attic rented by the owner. At the time of the fire, there were many people inside the bar. When the fire was first discovered, a man climbed to the 3rd floor and jumped down to the house next door, so he was lucky to escape.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai and Director of Hanoi Police Nguyen Hai Trung were present at the scene to direct the rescue work.

According to a camera recorded by people near the scene, before the fire, a person wearing a baseball cap carrying a bucket (suspected to be a bucket of gasoline) approached the karaoke bar. After that, the fire broke out from inside the karaoke bar and spread to other rooms and surrounding houses.

Upon receiving information about the fire, that same night, Politburo member, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai, and Director of Hanoi Police Nguyen Hai Trung were directly present at the scene to direct rescue work.

Many ambulances from all directions also gathered at Pham Van Dong Street. The entire route through the area was blocked to serve the fire fighting and rescue work.

By dawn on December 19, the fire was under control. Authorities guided, assisted, and brought 7 people out (5 of whom were in stable health, 2 were taken to the hospital for emergency care) and discovered 11 people had died.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/loi-ke-nhan-chung-vu-do-xang-phong-hoa-khien-11-nguoi-chet-o-ha-noi-196241219080130822.htm