The fire started at 1 pm on December 25 at the building on Hoang Hoa Tham Street. A pile of black smoke could be seen on the top of the building. Electricity of the building was cut and residents at the top floors did not dare to use the stairs as smoke filling in.
Dozens of fire trucks and hundreds of firefighters were quickly sent to the scene to rescue trapped residents and put out the fire.
Hoang Quoc Dinh, director of Hanoi Fire Department, told The Labourers Newspaper said that the fire broke out at the 25th floor.
"The smoke has caused troubles for the firefighters," Dinh said. "Most people living near the top floors have been rescued. We are investigating the cause of the fire."
The fire was controlled at 3 pm and the smoke was cleared. The firefighters are checking each floor and apartment. According to the locals, one apartment on the floor where the fire broke out is under repair.
Some photos of the fire:
Residents ran out of apartments in panic
Calling for help
Fire broke out on the top floor
Residents of the Golden Westlake escaped the fire
