Fire at a 5-story boarding house in Hanoi kills 14 people.

Initial information indicates that the fire at the boarding house occurred at approximately 0:30 AM on May 24th. The house is located in alley 119 Trung Kinh (Trung Hoa ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi). The flames quickly spread, and thick black smoke rose high into the air.

According to eyewitnesses, the rented house has five floors, with a motorbike and electric bicycle repair shop on the first floor.

Upon receiving the report, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of Hanoi City Police dispatched numerous fire trucks and rescue vehicles to the scene.

However, because the house was located deep inside a narrow alley less than 2 meters wide, more than 200 meters from Trung Kinh Street, the fire trucks could not reach the location. Rescue forces had to lay water pipes from Trung Kinh Street to the scene to extinguish the fire.

According to reporters, there were more than 10 ambulances from various emergency response forces stationed at the scene.

By over 3 a.m., observations at the scene indicated that rescue forces had brought many victims out on stretchers.

At 4:30 AM on the same day, in an exchange with reporters, a representative of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of Hanoi City Police said that the rescue operation had been completed.

A representative from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of Hanoi City Police also stated that the authorities are continuing to address the aftermath of the fire.

Representatives from the Trung Hoa Ward People's Committee confirmed that multiple deaths have been recorded.

According to initial reports, authorities have confirmed 14 deaths and are continuing to compile a list and identify the deceased.

The police have now sealed off Trung Kinh Street to facilitate the crime scene investigation.