By 11.40pm the same day, the fire is brought under control. - Photo: VNA/VNS
HANOI: The Hanoi City Police Investigation Agency on Thursday (Dec 19) morning announced its decision to initiate legal proceedings and detain a man with two prior convictions to investigate and handle his act of setting fire to a café, which resulted in multiple fatalities in Bac Tu Liem District late Wednesday (Dec 18) night.
C.V.H., 51, residing in Dai Mach Commune, Dong Anh District, was accused of murder. The suspect had two prior convictions for robbery and theft.
At 11.03pm on Wednesday, the 114 Emergency Command Centre of the Hanoi City Police received a report about a café fire at No.258 Pham Van Dong Street, Co Nhue 2 Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, with multiple people trapped inside.
The police immediately deployed firefighting and rescue forces, including the Fire and Rescue Police, and police from Bac Tu Liem, Nam Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, and Tay Ho Districts, to the scene to coordinate with local authorities and residents in firefighting and rescue efforts.
Lieutenant General Nguyen Hai Trung, Director of the Hanoi City Police, was present at the scene to directly oversee the rescue and firefighting operations.
Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Secretary of the city’s Party Central Committee, also arrived at the scene to direct local authorities, city departments and relevant agencies to promptly addressing the aftermath of the fire.
By 11.40pm the same day, the fire was brought under control.
Firefighters found 11 dead people and managed to rescue seven individuals, of whom five were in stable condition and two were taken to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Initial investigations by the police showed that the café was intentionally set on fire. The suspect was swiftly identified and arrested at approximately midnight on Thursday.
At the police station, C.V.H. initially confessed that after drinking beer at the café, he got into an argument with the staff.
He then purchased gasoline, poured it onto the first floor of the café where multiple motorcycles were parked, and set it on fire.
After seeing the flames spread, he fled the scene.
Trung, the Director of the Hanoi City Police, has ordered the Investigation Agency to quickly investigate and clarify the motives of the crime. The victims’ identities are also being verified.
Additionally, he has directed relevant units and Bac Tu Liem District Police to coordinate with city departments and agencies to visit and provide assistance to the victims' families.- Vietnam News/ANN
