Firefighters at the scene of the blaze. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Dũng

HÀ NỘI — A fire at a property in Đà Lạt City on Monday morning has resulted in the deaths of three young siblings.

The cause of the fire was reported to be from a gas cooker that their mother had forgotten to turn off before going out.

The victims were identified as Vòng Anh Khoa, six, Vòng Ngọc Bảo An, four and one-year-old Vòng Minh Anh.

According to Đà Lạt City Police, on Sunday afternoon, Đậu Thị Tú, 29, from the central province of Nghệ An, brought her children to stay at the rented apartment of her mother, Nguyễn Thị Tâm, 52.

On Monday morning, Tâm went to work while Tú cooked breakfast for her children. She then left them in the locked room to go out to buy some milk but forgot to turn off the cooker.

At about 9am, the owner of the house heard children crying and saw fire in Tâm's room, tried to break the door open but failed to do so. They also called the neighbours for help, but the fire had gotten too intense to put out by themselves.

After the firefighters managed to contain the fire, the three children were found dead and the room was completely destroyed.

Acting Secretary of Lâm Đồng Province Party Committee Nguyễn Thái Học along with relevant authorities were present at the incident site to direct the search and rescue efforts, investigation and visit the victims' family.

Initially, Đà Lạt People's Committee provided VNĐ18 million (US$707) as financial support for each dead victim.

Further investigations are ongoing. — VNS