Fire trucks are seen from above on Tran Quang Dieu Street in An Phu Ward of Thuan An Town, 50 minutes drive from Ho Chi Minh City.
The fire broke out at An Phu karaoke parlor around 9 p.m. on Tuesday and spread quickly.
A firefighter stands on the roof of the facility owned by a local man named Le Anh Xuan, 42.
Operating since 2016, the three-story parlor has 29 rooms and a floor area of 1,500 square meters. The fire spread over 400 square meters.
A fireman sprays water to put out remaining flames.
The fire grew stronger as it caught onto the soundproof foam mattresses and wooden interior. As it blocked the emergency exit, many people were forced to rush to the balcony while many others remained trapped inside.
Two bodies were brought out at 11 a.m. Wednesday. By 6 p.m. today, 23 deaths have been confirmed. Several people who had jumped off the balcony were injured with broken limbs.
Local people watch as firefighters conduct the rescue mission.
A witness said the main door of the parlor was shut at the time of the fire.
"Normally this parlor would shut the roll-up door after 11 p.m. and customers must ask a staff member to open it from inside," said the witness.
Those injured by the fire were treated at An Phu General Hospital. Many of them are karaoke staff.
Duong Ba Khuong, a 27-year-old employee, said it all started after he heard some explosions on the first and second floors. Some people went to check and saw columns of smoke and felt the heat. They then called for help.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire.
