HÀ NỘI — The Ba Đình District People’s Court on Thursday began legal proceedings against a man for violating regulations on fire prevention and control.

Nguyễn Thế Hiệp, 72, lives in Ngọc Khánh Ward, Ba Đình District. He is the owner of a boarding house which went up in flames on September 17 last year killing a couple.

Hiệp faces from five to 12 years in prison.

The indictment said that Hiệp had five boarding houses for rent in the Alley 879, Đê La Thành Road in Ngọc Khánh District.

Hiệp widened the boarding houses with iron frames and wooden bulkheads without asking for permission from concerned organisations. He also did not equip fire extinguishers and emergency exits based on regulations.

On April 3 last year, inspectors from the Ngọc Khánh Ward asked Hiệp to improve the poor condition in his houses. Hiệp promised to do so but did not complete the work.

A fire broke out on September 17 last year due to an electrical short circuit. The fire killed Tạ Văn Tính, 43 and his wife Hà Thị Lành, 42, from Thanh Sơn District, the northern province of Phú Thọ.

Losses were estimated at nearly VNĐ1.9 billion (US$82,600). — VNS