On 20/5, Ca Mau Provincial Police initiated a murder investigation into a house fire that resulted in two deaths in Phong Thanh commune. Duong Tan Cong, 43, who died in the blaze, has been identified as the arson suspect.

Inside the smoke-stained house, relatives and neighbors gathered to arrange the funeral for the unfortunate woman.

Ngo Hoang Thuy, the boy's maternal grandfather, recounted that in the early hours of 17/5, he and neighbors discovered his daughter's house in Nhan Dan B hamlet engulfed in fierce flames, with smoke filling the interior. Rushing to check, they found all doors locked from the inside, prompting them to shout for help to extinguish the fire and break down the doors to rescue those inside.

"It took me over 10 minutes to get into the house," Thuy said. "By then, all three had severe burns. When I carried my grandson out, the boy weakly said, 'Grandpa, save me.'"

At the scene, much property was destroyed, with about 0.5 liters of gasoline remaining in a container. The family reported the incident to authorities and rushed the three victims to emergency care. Cong died en route to the hospital. The mother and son suffered severe burns; by the afternoon of 18/5, the woman succumbed to her injuries. The boy was later transferred to TP HCM for critical treatment.

The charred walls and all furniture in the house have been cleaned up by the family. Photo: An Minh

Initial investigations indicate the incident stemmed from a dispute between Cong and the woman, who had previously lived together as partners.

The family stated that the two met while working as factory workers, lived together for over four years, and had one 4-year-old son but were not legally married.

During their time together, they frequently argued, and the man repeatedly made threats. Over a month ago, they separated with local authorities present.

"Cong tried many times to reconcile, but the family did not agree," Thuy said.

The woman was the fourth child in her family and worked as a grocery seller. The house, which had been completed just over a week before the fire and was valued at approximately 100 million VND, was destroyed.

The boy is currently receiving intensive care. The family reported that all personal documents were destroyed in the fire, preventing them from completing health insurance procedures. Daily costs for medication and resuscitation continue to accrue.

Representatives from Children's Hospital TP HCM have appealed to philanthropists for support to give the boy a greater chance of survival.

The case is under investigation.

An Minh