Around 10 p.m. on 8/2, a fire broke out on the third floor of a five-story building, which operated as a music cafe, located at alley 185 Trung Thon, Dong Anh commune, Hanoi City. Approximately 15 people were inside. As the smoke and flames rapidly intensified, individuals inside began to scream for help.

Five minutes after the fire was reported, Sub-unit 2 of Firefighting and Rescue Police Team Area 20 arrived. Soon after, six fire trucks, one ladder truck, and approximately 45 firefighters from Firefighting and Rescue Teams Area 1, Area 3, and Area 20 were dispatched as reinforcements.

Given the fire's location on the third floor, a significant amount of toxic smoke spread to the upper levels, trapping people. The fire commander deployed one team with breathing apparatus and specialized equipment for search and rescue operations, while another team concentrated on extinguishing the blaze.

The first floor of the music cafe. Photo: PC07

By approximately 10:25 p.m., firefighters had guided nine individuals safely to the ground and led six others to the open rooftop.

The fire destroyed many items on the third floor, and the entire area experienced a temporary power outage. The affected building measured approximately 90 square meters per floor; two of its five stories functioned as singing rooms, with the remaining stories being residential. The room where the fire originated covered about 20 square meters.

Fire trucks arriving at the scene. Photo: Viet An

Police attributed the successful and timely rescue of 15 people to the strategic deployment of Facility 2 resources (Sub-unit of Firefighting and Rescue Police Team Area 20) near the blaze. This proximity allowed them to leverage the "golden hour" for effective firefighting and rescue efforts.

Viet An