Thick, black smoke began pouring out of the 15th floor causing trapped people to wave out their windows for help.
A major fire erupted in the JSC 34 apartment building at the Khuat Duy Tien - Le Van Luong crossroads in Hanoi at about 6pm on March 10. DTiNews reporters witnessed firefighters wearing oxygen masks battling the fire and trying to rescue people trapped inside.
Many residents on higher floors were trapped by the fire and flocked to the balconies and windows waving clothes to attract attention. On the ground; many others were gathering and shouting when they saw people stuck near the flames.
At about 7pm, the fire was under control and firefighters spread out across the building's floors to search for people who were trapped.
At 7:15pm, no ambulances had yet arrived at the scene. A number of people had passed out due to the thick smoke. The emergency team and people present had to use their motorbikes to carry them to the hospital.
Among those carried to the hospital were Vuong Lan Phuong, born 1967 and her son, Luu Gia Minh, born 2000. Both died in the hospital, apparently due to smoke inhalation.
Nham Duc Duy, a resident on the 17th floor told a DTiNews reporter: "I was at home with my two younger brothers when thick black smoke poured into the apartment. We immediately rushed to the balcony where my brothers were supplied with oxygen masks by firefighters and I put a wet cloth on my face. We were then rushed to safety."
Firefighters come to the rescue of a person trapped by the fire.
Thick smoke rushes from the building as people shout for help.
The emergency team and people present had to use their motorbikes to carry victims to the hospital.
Many people gathered around the scene.