Electric motorbike short circuit caused Hanoi fire that killed 14

At a regular press conference held by the city People’s Committee, Nguyen Thanh Tung, deputy director of the police department – under which the fire department operates – said authorities have been trying to figure out the operation of rooms for rent at the house and the responsibility of individuals in ensuring fire safety.

"We are working with prosecutors to collect evidence."

There are two buildings in the premises on Trung Kinh Street where the fire occurred on May 24, one with seven people belonging to the landlord's family and the other with 17 tenants. The front yard has an electric motorbike repair shop.

The fire killed 14 people, two from the landlord's family and 12 of the tenants.

In the decade until last year 4,459 fires broke out in the city in which 202 people died and 271 others were injured.