Fire kills 3 firefighters: Karaoke bar owner sentenced to 10 years in prison

After a day of trial for the fire at ISIS karaoke bar, Quan Hoa street, Cau Giay district (Hanoi) that killed three fire police officers, on the afternoon of August 7, the Hanoi People's Court of First Instance sentenced defendant Pham Duy Hung (born in 1983, living in Building B, Thang Long International Village, Dich Vong ward, Cau Giay district) to 10 years in prison for "Violating regulations on fire prevention and fighting".

Previously, when indicting, the representative of the Procuracy concluded that on March 19, 2018, defendant Hung rented house number 231, Quan Hoa street to run karaoke business. In February 2022, defendant Hung hired someone to add 2 more rooms on the 7th floor of the house with iron frame, corrugated iron fence, corrugated iron roof, plaster ceiling, soundproofing layers, and electrical system to serve the karaoke business but did not notify the authorities.

From May 1, 2022, defendant Hung began using room 702 as a karaoke room, and room 701 as a warehouse. While preparing documents to submit to the authorities for approval of fire safety standards, defendant Hung still allowed the bar to operate without meeting the requirements.

At about 1:00 p.m. on August 1, 2022, a major fire broke out at ISIS karaoke bar. During the firefighting and rescue mission at the karaoke bar, three firefighters of Cau Giay District Police sacrificed their lives.

During the investigation and at the trial, the defendant Hung confessed honestly and repented. In addition, the defendant Hung had influenced the family to compensate the victims for part of the consequences, so there were no aggravating circumstances.

However, the recent incidents of fires and explosions at karaoke bars have been complicated and have negatively affected social order and safety. Therefore, it is necessary to deal with the defendant with a severe sentence to deter, warn, educate and prevent in general in society.

From the above viewpoint, the representative of the Procuracy proposed that the Trial Council sentence the defendant Hung from 10 to 12 years in prison for the crime of “Violating fire prevention and fighting regulations”. Regarding civil matters, the representative of the Procuracy proposed that the defendant Hung compensate each victim’s family with 180 million VND for basic losses.

Given the right to have the last word before sentencing, defendant Hung apologized to the victims' families and hoped the jury would consider and reduce his sentence so that he could soon reintegrate into the community and rebuild his life.

The jury found that the defendant Hung was aware of his criminal behavior, that he had no aggravating circumstances, and that he actively compensated the victim’s family for the consequences. In addition, the defendant’s father was exposed to Agent Orange, which are mitigating circumstances.

After comprehensively analyzing and evaluating the criminal behavior of defendant Hung, the Trial Council sentenced the defendant to 10 years in prison for the crime of "Violating regulations on fire prevention and fighting".

Regarding civil matters, the Trial Panel ordered the defendant Hung to compensate each victim’s family 230 million VND. Before the trial took place, the defendant Hung’s family had compensated the family of martyr Dang Anh Quan 130 million VND; the family of martyr Do Duc Viet 100 million VND and the family of martyr Nguyen Dinh Phuc 130 million VND, so this amount was deducted from the compensation amount.

In addition, the Trial Panel also ordered the defendant Hung to be responsible for providing 2 million VND per month for the mother of martyr Dang Anh Quan until she passed away. For the two young children of martyr Dang Anh Quan, the Trial Panel ordered the defendant Hung to be responsible for providing 2 million VND per month for each child until they turn 18 years old.