Authorities at the scene of the fire incident in Thanh Xuân District that claimed 56 lives. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — At least 56 people have been killed in a blaze at an apartment block in Thanh Xuân District, Hà Nội.

A further 37 people are being treated in hospital, the police confirmed on Wednesday evening.

The identities of 39 deceased victims have been verified.

The police also decided on Wednesday to detain the owner of the building – Nguyễn Quang Minh, born in 1979, residing in Cầu Giấy District, Hà Nội – for four months to be investigated for violations of the fire safety code.

Nghiêm Quang Minh, owner of the building, was detained on Wednesday. VNA/VNS Photo

The Director of Hà Nội City Police is directing the investigation police unit to urgently investigate, strictly handle the case according to the provisions of law, and actively coordinate with relevant authorities of Hà Nội and Thanh Xuân District to visit and support the victims' families.

At about 11.22pm on Tuesday night, the authorities received reports of a fire at a nine-storey building in Alley 29/70, Khương Hạ Street.

The block is designed in the tube house style, featuring one facade and three sides adjoining other residential properties.

There are approximately 40-50 flats available for lease, predominantly occupied by families and students.

The 200 sq.m building, with about 150 residents, was located in a very deep, narrow alley, making it much harder for the firefighting units to approach and tackle the blaze.

About 15 firetrucks, along with 100 police officers in total, were deployed to the scene.

The fire was contained in about 45 minutes and prevented from spreading to neighbouring houses.

As of 5am Wednesday morning, about 70 people trapped in the building had been rescued.

The injured people are currently being treated at various hospitals – Hà Nội University Hospital, Bạch Mai Hospital, Hà Đông General Hospital, and Military Hospital 103, among others.

The Ministry of Health has ordered the hospitals to take care of the victims, and ensure sufficient supplies of medicines and equipment to guarantee their recovery.

Currently, the focus is on providing medical treatment and stabilising the mental well-being of the victims and their families, helping them overcome the crisis, and ensuring peace of mind during treatment, the ministry noted.

Hospital bills are not to be collected at the moment, it said.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Wednesday asked competent forces to quickly deal with the consequences of the deadly fire and trace the cause.

In a dispatch sent to the Minister of Public Security and Chairpersons of provinces and centrally-run cities, the PM noted that the blaze has caused severe consequences, with many casualties.

On behalf of the Government, PM Chính extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and urged Hà Nội to provide them with material and spiritual support.

The municipal People’s Committee needs to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security to instruct competent forces to identify the responsibility of organisations and individuals involved, and strictly handle wrongdoings (if any) in line with legal regulations.

The ministry and localities were asked to continue seriously observing instructions of the National Assembly, the Government and the PM on firefighting, and regularly monitor fire-prone facilities, especially mini apartment buildings and rental houses.

The same day, Chính made a fact-finding trip to the blaze fire and visited the victims who were being treated at Bạch Mai Hospital in the capital city.

He asked competent agencies to seriously implement the dispatch, stressing the need to perfect regulations on firefighting in mini apartment buildings and densely populated areas, and step up the communications work in this regard. — VNS