Nghiem Quang Minh, 44, was arrested and prosecuted on the evening of September 13 for violating fire safety regulations. He will be detained for four months.
According to the Khuong Dinh Ward People's Committee of Thanh Xuan District, the fire broke out at 11.50 pm on September 12 from the ground floor of a mini apartment building on Lane 29/70, Khuong Ha Street. The 200-square-metre 10-storey building houses 150 people who are mostly renters. There were five apartments of between 20-30 square metres on each floor.
PM Pham Minh Chinh, deputy chairman of National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong came to the site on Wednesday afternoon to send condolences to the families of the victims. He also urged Hanoi authorities to provide them with material and spiritual support.
PM Chinh ordered authorities to study and complete regulations on fire prevention and control at apartment buildings and densely-populated areas with narrow roads. He also called for equipping people with fire response and escape skills while ensuring the safety and efficiency of fire-fighting equipment.
Visiting Bạch Mai Hospital, where nearly 30 victims are being treated the same day, PM Chính hoped the doctors and nurses would do their best to save the victims. He requested the healthcare sector to urgently compile a set of self-first aid methods in case of fire and disseminate it to the public.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire.