Firefighters rush into burning hotel to rescue 26 people as two die

Firefighters rushed into a burning Ho Chi Minh City hotel early on September 7 and brought 26 people to safety. Two other people died in the blaze.

The command center of the city’s Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Division received the first report at 5:09 a.m. The department sent seven fire engines and 48 officers and soldiers from two rescue teams to the hotel on Tan Ky Tan Quy Street in Tan Son Nhi Ward.

The fire was completely extinguished by 5:17 a.m. The T.D. Hotel had 19 rooms, including 16 rental rooms and three family living quarters. The building had a ground floor, mezzanine, four upper floors and a rooftop.

Rescue teams approached from several directions, including stairways, emergency exits, balconies and the roof. They also used a ladder truck to locate the fire, assess the smoke and find people trapped inside. Some occupants suffered smoke exposure and could not walk, so officers carried them out. Police also prevented the flames from spreading to nearby areas.