Deadly Café Fire Caused by Petrol Bomb, 11 Burned Alive in Flames

Hanoi (The Uttam Hindu): A tragic fire, reportedly sparked by a petrol bomb, swept through a café at the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, last night and killed 11 people. The incident occurred at around 11 PM in the Ba Dinh district at a popular café that has hosted singing events. The fire quickly spread to the building, as flames and smoke spread into neighboring houses.

According to local media, the police found 11 people dead and rescued seven others. Of the survivors, five are reported to be in stable condition, while two remain hospitalized. The prime suspect has been identified as a 51-year-old man, who lives in Hanoi's Dong Anh district. Police confirmed that he was responsible for the fire, and legal proceedings have been initiated against him.

The suspect, who had a criminal history with previous robbery and theft charges, reportedly admitted to buying gasoline and setting the fire after a dispute with café staff. He poured the fuel on the first floor of the café, which caused the deadly blaze. This incident occurs just days after another deadly fire in Hanoi. On May 24, a fire in a rented building in Hanoi killed 14 people and injured three others. The building was located in a narrow alley, which made it difficult for firefighters to access. The fire in that incident was initially thought to have been caused by an electric bicycle short circuit.

In the first four months of this year, Vietnam has witnessed 1,555 fires and explosions, which took 28 lives and caused 26 injuries. The property loss amounts to an estimated 89.8 billion Vietnamese Dong, a sum equivalent to approximately ₹3.5 crore, stated the General Statistics Office.