Criminal proceedings start on Hanoi café fire that kills 11

A lot of property burned in the fire. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - The Hanoi city Police Investigation Agency on December 19 morning announced its decision to launch legal proceedings against a 51-year-old man to investigate and handle his act of setting fire to a café, which resulted in 11 fatalities in Bac Tu Liem district at night on December 18.

C.V.H., residing in Dai Mach commune, Dong Anh district, was accused of murder. The suspect had two prior convictions for robbery and theft.

At 11.03pm on December 18, the 114 Emergency Command Centre of the Hanoi city Police received a report about a café fire at No.258 Pham Van Dong street, Co Nhue 2 ward, with multiple people trapped inside.

The police immediately deployed firefighting and rescue forces to the scene to coordinate with local authorities and residents in firefighting and rescue efforts.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Hai Trung, Director of the city Police, was present at the scene to directly oversee the rescue and firefighting operations. Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, also arrived at the scene to direct local authorities, departments and relevant agencies to promptly address the aftermath of the fire.

By 11.40pm the same day, the fire was brought under control.

Firefighters found 11 dead people and managed to rescue seven others, of whom five were in stable condition and two were taken to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Initial investigations by the police showed that the café was intentionally set on fire. The suspect was swiftly identified and arrested at approximately midnight.

At the police station, C.V.H. initially confessed that after drinking beer at the café, he got into an argument with the staff. He then purchased gasoline, poured it onto the first floor of the café where multiple motorcycles were parked, and set it on fire. After seeing the flames spread, he fled the scene.

The director of the city Police has ordered the investigation agency to quickly investigate and clarify the motives of the crime. The victims’ identities are also being verified.