Aftermath of Hanoi coffee shop fire that killed 11

Firefighters rescue a man trapped on the third floor of the coffee shop on Pham Van Dong Street, Co Nhue 2 Ward, Bac Tu Liem District. The victims were rushed to hospital, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation injuries.

Initial investigation found the fire erupted at around 11 p.m. after a male customer had a conflict with some people at the establishment and poured gasoline to set it ablaze.

People inside attempted to escape. However, the exit on the first floor was engulfed in flames, and thick black smoke quickly spread to the upper floors.

Flames and smoke rapidly engulfed the building and spread to the neighboring mechanical workshop.

Firefighters worked tirelessly, simultaneously spraying water to extinguish the fire and using ladders to rescue those trapped inside.

The building, approximately 40 sq.m in size, is situated near an overpass on Pham Van Dong Street.

The sidewalk in front of the shop was used to park five or six motorbikes and a car. To the right of the building was an empty lot with three parked cars, while on the left stood a single-story mechanical workshop with a corrugated iron roof.

The first floor of the building featured a triangular metal-roofed porch enclosed with steel frames. The second floor was fenced in, while the third-floor balcony remained open. To access the building and search for victims, firefighters had to cut through part of the steel frame on the second floor.

By 11:40 p.m., the fire was brought under control. Hanoi police confirmed that authorities had rescued seven people and found 11 dead victims. The victims were wrapped in blankets and transported to 198 Hospital and E Hospital, both located about 2 km from the scene.

The front of the building was severely charred, with steel frames warped from the intense heat.

The suspected arsonist, a 51-year-old resident of Dong Anh, Hanoi, has been arrested.

During questioning, he admitted to setting the fire after drinking beer at the shop and getting into an argument with some people there. He allegedly purchased gasoline, poured it onto the first floor, and set it ablaze.

The fire damaged a car parked on the sidewalk outside the building, scorching its side and rear.

At least five motorbikes belonging to customers and staff were also destroyed.

Inside the shop, all furniture and equipment were burned down. The neighboring mechanical workshop also sustained significant damage, with its equipment severely burned and rendered unusable.

By 1:40 a.m. on Thursday, 10 ambulances and 10 fire trucks had departed the scene. Police had cordoned off the area to conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire.