Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh today (June 17) asked the governments of Hanoi and Bac Giang Province to comfort the families of the fire victims and prevent similar incidents.

The fire at a private house in Dinh Cong ward, Hoang Mai District, on the night of June 16. Photo: The Hanoi Times

In an urgent directive issued today, the Prime Minister expressed his condolences to these families for their losses.

Authorities in Hanoi and Bac Giang were asked to provide maximum support to the victims and their families, investigate the fires, and address any violations that led to the incidents.

Prime Minister Chinh also asked all 63 municipal and provincial authorities to conduct a thorough inspection of residential buildings, especially rental houses, and to improve firefighting and rescue skills for local people.

Cities and provinces were ordered to develop fire prevention and rescue plans and report to the government by July 15.

Municipal and provincial government leaders will face consequences if significant fires that result in significant loss of life and property damage occur in their jurisdictions.

According to the directive, the Ministries of Information and Communications and Industry and Trade are responsible for disseminating news and information on firefighting and rescue issues, consistently conducting training drills for children and students, and continuing to check the safety standards in every home.

A fire broke out late Sunday (June 16) in a six-story private house in Dinh Cong Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, killing four people. Nearly 100 police officers and 12 fire trucks were sent to the scene to extinguish the fire and rescue the victims.

Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen (center) visits the victims of the fire. Photo: The Hanoi Times

It took them about an hour and a half to extinguish the fire. The building was used for both lodging and plumbing sales.

This morning (June 17), Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen visited the survivors of the deadly fire who are being treated at the Post and Telecommunications Hospital.

On behalf of the Hanoi authorities, Tuyen presented the victims with a financial aid package worth VND55 million (US$2,160) for each family of those killed and VND33 million (US$1,296) for each injured.

Expressing her sympathy, the Party Deputy Secretary hoped that the victims' families would soon overcome their grief and urged the hospital management and the local government to provide support for the victims.

Following the fire, the Hanoi People's Committee urged local authorities and government agencies in the capital to step up fire prevention measures to protect people's lives and property.

The Hoang Mai district government was asked to investigate the fire and any violations that were the cause of the fire.

Early Sunday morning (June 16), a fire destroyed a house in Da Mai Ward, Bac Giang City, Bac Giang Province, leaving three people dead.