Eleven people died in a fire at a cafe in Hanoi on Wednesday night, officials said.
Vietnam’s Public Security Ministry said Thursday that police arrested a man suspected of arson after authorities responded to reports of a blaze at 11:00 p.m. (1600 GMT), where several people were believed to be trapped. There was apprehension.
“Police suspect that the café was (deliberately) burned and … the culprit has been arrested,” Hanoi police said in a statement.
According to police, the man admitted to lighting the fire using gasoline on the ground floor of the three-storey cafe. The incident happened after he had an argument with the eatery staff.
Massive fire hampers rescue efforts
Eyewitnesses told local media that initially the fire was so intense that it was not possible for any rescue effort.
An eyewitness said, “We were shouting for the trapped victims, but we did not hear any calls for help from inside the building.”
Another witness said, “The fire blocked all the exits. The smell of gasoline was strong.”
Officials said they managed to rescue seven people, two of whom were hospitalized.
ss/jsi (AFP, Reuters)
