Key Takeaways:
– A karaoke bar in Hanoi, Vietnam, went up in flames, resulting in the death of 11 individuals and burns to two others.
– Firefighters worked to control the blaze while witnesses disclosed the large scale of the fire, which had trapped many inside the multi-story building.
– Police arrested a suspect for allegedly initiating the fire after an altercation with the bar staff.
– The horrendous incident follows another, where a similar massive fire at a karaoke bar two years ago led to the closure of more than two-thirds of nationwide karaoke bars due to inadequate fire regulations.
The Fateful Event
A deadly fire tore through a karaoke bar in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital. The distressing incident claimed 11 lives, and two individuals are recovering from injuries, the police reported. This horrific event is believed to be a case of arson.
The Aftermath
The once bustling karaoke venue now stands charred and blackened, a chilling reminder of the disaster. The flames that consumed the multi-story structure left behind only drastically twisted metal pieces. The situation turned grimmer as the police force reported receiving calls about the fire at around 11 pm on Wednesday. They revealed that several people were trapped inside the blazing building.
Heroic Rescue Efforts
Despite the dangerous circumstances, rescue teams rushed to the location to save the trapped victims. From the total number of people caught in the flames, rescuers managed to pull seven people out alive, out of which two were immediately hospitalized. Regrettably, 11 people did not survive the incident.
Crime or Coincidence?
Hanoi Police, suspecting foul play, released a statement claiming that the café was intentionally torched. Making quick progress on the case, they have apprehended a suspect. Onlookers who witnessed the tragic event recalled the fire’s enormity, totally discouraging any rescue attempts from the public. They pointed out that metal bars enclosing the building’s balconies likely made it challenging for the trapped individuals to escape.
A Ray of Hope in the Misery
One witness, Tran Duc Tuan, vividly described his terrifying experience. When he fled from his house, he observed intense flames engulfing 5-6 motorbikes that blocked the building’s entrance. It was a blink of light from a mobile phone on the third-floor balcony that hinted at survivors inside. Locals gallantly attempted to douse the flames by pouring water over the monstrous fire for over an hour.
Arrest Made
CCTV footage from a neighboring house was critical in identifying a suspect. This footage revealed a man carrying a bucket entering the karaoke bar shortly before the fire broke out. Police made the arrest around midnight and stated that the man had gone to the bar for a drink, had a dispute with the staff, and then allegedly bought petrol, leading to the catastrophic fire event.
The Past Haunting the Present
Last October, around six people were incarcerated due to an equally disastrous fire in a karaoke bar that ended 32 lives. The terrible event, which took place near Ho Chi Minh City, left the nation shocked and led to the closure of thousands of karaoke bars not adhering to fire safety regulations. A disproportionate number of karaoke establishments forced to close represented over two-thirds of the country’s total karaoke bars.
As law enforcement continues its investigations, this incident serves as a painful reminder of the importance of maintaining adequate safety measures and regulations in public establishments, to prevent such grievous incidents from recurring.