The Hanoi People's Court was scheduled to open the trial of Do Tuan Anh, 41, former Deputy Head of the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Team, then part of the Cau Giay District Police, and Le Quang Hung, 30, an officer from the same unit, on 25 March. They face charges of "Irresponsible causing serious consequences".

However, the defendants' lawyers requested a postponement due to scheduling conflicts with another trial. This was the initial hearing. To ensure the legal rights of the defendants and related parties, the court approved the request and rescheduled the trial for 9 April.

The case stems from a fire on Trung Kinh street in May 2024 that resulted in 14 fatalities.

The indictment states that a 207 square meter plot of land was owned by Mr. Quyet and his wife, Ms. Thao. Of this, 50 square meters were used for their residence, and 100 square meters for a 3-story rental building with 13 self-contained rooms.

Additionally, 33 square meters in the yard were used by their son to set up a temporary shed for motorcycle and electric bicycle repair services. The remaining common yard area served as parking for tenants and Mr. Quyet's family members.

During the construction and operation of the rental property, Mr. Quyet and his wife did not obtain a construction permit for the rental building and did not register their rental business.

According to Decree 136, which details certain provisions of the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting, Mr. Quyet's rental establishment was subject to state management of fire prevention and fighting by the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Team. It was also required to meet fire prevention and fighting safety conditions.

However, Mr. Quyet and his wife did not comply with these regulations during the construction and operation of the rental property.

At approximately 0:45 on 24 May 2024, a fire erupted near the entrance gate. At that time, 23 people were living there (seven from Mr. Quyet's family and 16 tenants). The gate was locked, preventing escape. Only Mr. Quyet, his daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren managed to reach the second floor of the main house and were rescued by residents who broke through a wall with a sledgehammer. The remaining individuals died, including Mr. Quyet's mother, wife, and son, along with 12 tenants.

Forensic examination concluded that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the power line of an electric motorcycle, igniting its insulation layer and then spreading to the surroundings.

Regarding the responsibilities of individuals and state management agencies for fire prevention and fighting in this incident, the indictment identifies that defendant Hung was assigned fire prevention and fighting management duties in Trung Hoa ward starting August 2023.

During this period, following several serious fires, including the mini apartment building fire in Khuong Ha, the city of Hanoi had directed a comprehensive review and inspection of rental properties across the city to promptly identify fire safety violations in this type of housing and mini apartment buildings.

Despite these directives, Hung is accused of not properly and fully performing his assigned duties according to the review plans. He failed to detect Mr. Quyet's rental property or its fire safety violations.

During the investigation, Hung stated that he believed the property fell under the management of the Trung Hoa Ward People's Committee (UBND), not the fire prevention, fighting, and rescue police force, and therefore did not inspect it.

Prosecutors highlighted that after serious fires in Hanoi, including the Khuong Ha mini apartment fire that killed 56 people, the city directed the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Team to conduct a comprehensive review and compile a list of 861 establishments under the management of the Trung Hoa Ward People's Committee.

However, Mr. Quyet's rental property was not included in this list. The Trung Hoa Ward People's Committee therefore implicitly considered this establishment to be under the management of the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Team.

The Prosecutor's Office accused Tuan Anh, the Deputy Head, of failing to urge, direct, and manage, which resulted in Mr. Quyet's rental property not being managed by any unit.

The establishment was found to have numerous fire prevention and fighting violations but was not detected, inspected, or addressed.

During the investigation, the former deputy head admitted to the aforementioned negligence.

The scene of the fire. Photo: Giang Huy

The scene of the fire. Photo: Giang Huy

The scene of the fire. Photo: Giang Huy

The scene of the fire. Photo: Giang Huy

The scene of the fire. Photo: Giang Huy

The scene of the fire. Photo: Giang Huy

Many not criminally prosecuted

Some leaders of the Cau Giay District Police during this period were determined to "not be directly managing individual establishments, and due to shortcomings in the basic investigation work of subordinate officers," they were unaware of the situation.

They are all held accountable for management negligence leading to the fire, but their misconduct was deemed to be of a certain degree, due to various objective reasons and long-term misconduct by their subordinates.

While not facing criminal charges, the investigative agency submitted a document proposing that the Hanoi City Police take disciplinary action against these individuals according to police regulations.

Mr. Quyet and his wife showed signs of violating fire prevention and fighting regulations, but his mother, wife, and son all died in the fire. Their house was completely destroyed.

Mr. Quyet actively cooperated with the investigative agency to address the consequences, compensating 12 families of the deceased a total of VND 880 million and two injured individuals VND 15 million. Representatives of the victims made no civil claims and submitted requests to exempt Mr. Quyet from criminal liability. Considering the nature and extent of his actions and Mr. Quyet's circumstances, the investigative agency decided not to pursue criminal charges.

Families of the deceased and injured victims, orphaned children, and others affected by the fire have received support from various levels of government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

Hai Thu