Three firefighters die in Hanoi blaze

Three firefighters died on Monday afternoon while tackling a blaze at a karaoke bar in Hanoi's Cau Giay District.

The fire broke out at a 6-storey karaoke bar on Quan Hoa Street at 1 pm on August 1

According to reports from local authorities, the fire broke out at a 6-storey karaoke bar on Quan Hoa Street at 1 pm on August 1. The bar was closed for repairs. Only electricians had recently worked there.

Dozens of firefighters rushed to the site with fire engines. Three teams entered the building. One team covered the front of the building, spraying the facade with water. While two other teams entered the building through the main door, and by a ladder to break a small glass door on the side of the building and a corrugated iron roof.

But the blaze spread fast due to the building's structure and flammable interior.

Three firefighters were reportedly trapped inside the burning building after a staircase collapsed. The firefighters were identified as Dang Anh Quan, head of the Fire Prevention and Control Team and two others, Do Duc Viet and Nguyen Dinh Phuc.

Their bodies were taken to Hospital 198 under the Ministry of Public Security.

The fire was completely extinguished by 6:45 pm. Initial investigations revealed that the fire started due to a welding machine used in repairs to the parlour.

Firefighters sad at the deaths of three team members

Further investigations into the incident are ongoing

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent his condolences to the fire brigade and families of the three dead firefighters the same day.