Around 8 am, smoke and flames erupted from a 60 m2 apartment in block B on the top floor of the building located on Cao Dat street, about 300 meters from the Y-bridge. The apartment was empty at the time. The fire alarm sounded, prompting many residents with young children and pets to evacuate via emergency exits.

Thick smoke billowed from the roof of the burning apartment building. Photo: Tram Anh

Thick smoke billowed from the roof of the burning apartment building. Photo: Tram Anh

Khai, 23, stated that when he looked out the window from inside his home, he saw dense black smoke, so he quickly urged his relatives to get out. He grabbed a bag containing his two cats and his phone, then quickly ran down from the 22nd floor.

"Many people simultaneously converged on the narrow emergency stairwell, and some, out of fear, also screamed," Khai said.

Three fire trucks, along with dozens of firefighters, arrived at the scene. Firefighters, in coordination with on-site forces, advanced to the locked, burning apartment and brought the blaze under control after about 15 minutes.

The fire caused no casualties but destroyed many assets within the apartment. Residents were informed that the initial cause was a ceiling-mounted air conditioner fire.

Phuc Thinh apartment building consists of three 25-story blocks with 376 apartments, operating since 2004.

Dinh Van