The mother and her 9-year-old daughter are in critical condition following an apartment fire, with doctors indicating a high probability of brain death. On the afternoon of 26/1, Doctor Ngo Duc Hiep, Head of the Burn Department at Cho Ray Hospital, stated the mother's heart rate is maintained, but she has lost brain function and sustained severe brain damage. "The patient has a very poor prognosis, with a high risk of mortality", he said. Similarly, at Children's Hospital 1, the 9-year-old daughter is in a critical state. Associate Professor Doctor Pham Van Quang, Head of the Intensive Care and Anti-Poisoning Department, explained the child suffered prolonged brain oxygen deprivation, leading to cardiac arrest. Doctors assess the child is likely brain dead and has a poor prognosis.

The fire, which occurred in the early morning of 24/1, trapped the family in their 5th-floor apartment. The mother and her two children were trapped in the fire that occurred in the early morning of 24/1 in an apartment on the 5th floor of the EHome S apartment complex, Long Truong ward. Rescue forces broke down the door, finding all victims unconscious due to smoke inhalation and burns. The mother was diagnosed with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and was successfully resuscitated at Le Van Thinh Hospital before transfer to Cho Ray Hospital, despite severe brain damage.

The mother's initial hospital admission revealed severe injuries and brain damage. She was admitted in the early morning of 24/1 in a deep coma, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of only 3 points. Her pupils were dilated bilaterally, and she had lost light reflexes. She sustained burns to approximately 22% to 40% of her body surface area, primarily on her face and limbs. Bronchoscopy revealed significant soot deposits in her airways, and a CT scan showed cerebral edema and diffuse cerebral ischemia due to prolonged cardiac and respiratory arrest before admission.

The younger daughter, aged 6, is also receiving intensive care for her injuries. The remaining victim, a 6-year-old girl, is being treated at Children's Hospital 2. She sustained burns to approximately 35% of her body surface area, hypovolemic shock, and severe respiratory failure. She is currently undergoing continuous hemodialysis, mechanical ventilation, and is being closely monitored by pediatric specialists for all vital signs.

Doctors resuscitate and dialyze patients. Photo: Quynh Tran

The EHome S complex is a social housing development. EHome S is a social housing apartment project spanning approximately 1,7 hectares, featuring 4 blocks and over 1,000 apartments ranging from 40 to 75 square meters in size.

Le Phuong