The scene of the fire. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — A serious fire killed five people in a family living in a house on Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street in Hà Nội earlier this morning.

According to the initial report from the police, the fire broke out at about 1am in a two-storey house near Kim Liên B9 Residential Block, alley No.65 Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street.

At the time of the fire, all those in the house were asleep.

A representative from Đống Đa District People's Committee confirmed that four died during the blaze and another died on the way to the hospital.

Two other people living in the house, Bùi Ngọc L., 39, and his son Bùi Quang H.,12, escaped the fire as they ran to the highest place in the house and managed to get to a neighbour's house. They were then rescued by firefighters.

The fire was put out at 1:23am.

The five victims are Đoàn Thị M, owner of the house, 82; Bùi Ngọc K., 37, M.'s other son, Đỗ Mai H., 37, L.'s wife and their two sons, Bùi Nam P., 10; and 1-year-old Bùi Gia H.

Chairman of Hà Nội's People's Committee Chu Ngọc Anh has ordered agencies to quickly investigate and find out the cause of the fire and report back to the People's Committee by April 25.

If any violations are found, the authority needs to strictly handle it, he said. — VNS