A vctim of the fire is receiving treatment in the Emergency Department at E Hospital in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — Among the four people currently receiving emergency treatment following the deadly café arson case in Hà Nội late Wednesday night that resulted in 11 deaths, the condition of two patients is deteriorating.

Nguyễn Thành, Director of the Hà Nội’s 115 Emergency Centre, said that immediately after receiving information about the café fire at 258 Phạm Văn Đồng Street, Cổ Nhuế 2 Ward, Bắc Từ Liêm District, the centre dispatched nine ambulances with 31 medical personnel, along with two ambulances from E Hospital and Nam Thăng Long Hospital, to the scene.

Four people were injured with three suffering from smoke inhalation at the E Hospital and one with severe burns at 198 Military Hospital.

Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan visits a patient receiving treatment in the Emergency Department at E Hospital.

Of the three victims with smoke inhalation, two are in more serious condition, with their health worsening, likely due to carbon dioxide poisoning.

Medical staff are currently utilising all available resources to provide the best possible emergency care and treatment for the victims.

A family's victim arrives at 198 Hospital for victim identification and handover.

At the funeral home of the Ministry of Public Security’s 19-8 Hospital, dozens of relatives of the victims of the café fire sat in grief, waiting for identification results and the release of the bodies to bring them home for burial.

Authorities are urgently conducting examinations and legal procedures for victim identification and handover.

A family's victim waits for victim identification following the fire.

As of noon on Thursday, four victims have been identified by their families, and their remains have been handed over to relatives by the authorities.

PM urges investigation into deadly café fire

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Thursday morning signed an official dispatch requiring an urgent investigation into the tragic fire.

On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister extended his profound condolences to the families of the victims.

He urged the Minister of Public Security to direct the functional forces to coordinate with the city’s People's Committee to focus on overcoming the consequences, promptly investigate the case and strictly handle any violator according to legal provisions.

The police units and localities were asked to continue to seriously and effectively implement the directives of the Party and State in ensuring security and order and preventing and combating crimes and violations of the law.

The People's Committee was required to organise visits to offer timely encouragement and support and create the best conditions to help the families of the victims.

The Government leader also urged the Ministry of Health to instruct medical examination and treatment facilities to create the best conditions to treat the injured.

Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long visits a patient receiving treatment in the Emergency Department at E Hospital.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long inspected the scene and directed the work of overcoming the consequences of the fire and visited the injured victims under treatment at Hospital E.

Chairman of the Hà Nội’s People's Committee Trần Sỹ Thanh directed relevant units to visit and provide material and emotional support to the families of the victims.

He also urged local authorities and communities to intensify awareness campaigns, encouraging households and those combining residential and business spaces to equip and install early fire warning systems to prevent risks and damage caused by fires and explosions.

The scene of the café fire is cordoned off for investigation.

Nguyễn Thành Công, 44, a resident of Cổ Nhuế 2 Ward, Bắc Từ Liêm District, recounted that he was preparing to go to bed when he heard ambulance sirens.

He rushed to the scene, about 300 metres from his home, and saw flames engulfing the first floor, where motorcycles were parked in front of the café.

“The fire was massive, blocking all exits, and the smell of gasoline was overwhelming. People shouted to alert those inside to escape, but there was no response,” Công said.

Some other residents near the scene also reported that the fire was discovered quickly as it was not too late at night when the incident occurred. However, by the time people arrived, the fire had already spread fiercely, making it impossible to extinguish.

Many motorbikes parking in front of the café are destroyed in the fire.

The Hà Nội’s Police Investigation Agency previously announced its decision to launch legal proceedings against a 51-year-old man to investigate and handle his act of setting fire to the café.

At the police station, C.V.H., residing in Đại Mạch Commune, Đông Anh District, initially confessed that after drinking beer at the café, he got into an argument with some of the customers in the cafe and got beaten up by them (different from the initial statements that the conflict was between H. and the staff). In anger, he then went out, purchased gasoline, poured it onto the first floor of the café where multiple motorcycles were parked, and set it on fire.

After seeing the flames spread, he fled the scene.

He was then arrested and accused of murder. – VNS