Hotel Fire in Ho Chi Minh City Forces Residents to Escape by Rope

People trapped inside a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City pounded on its locked entrance and cried for help as smoke filled the building. Some people on the rooftop used ropes to reach nearby homes, according to a local witness.

The fire broke out at about 5 a.m. on Sept. 7 on Tan Ky Tan Quy Street in Tan Son Nhi Ward. Residents who saw smoke coming from the hotel approached the building and heard people calling for help behind the closed rolling door.

One witness said, "I heard shouting and initially thought people were fighting. When I ran over, I saw people inside calling for help and banging on the door. On the rooftop, some people were trying to escape to neighboring houses by rope." Residents worked to break open the entrance and called emergency services.

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I heard shouting and initially thought people were fighting. When I ran over, I saw people inside calling for help and banging on the door. On the rooftop, some people were trying to escape to neighboring houses by rope.

Fire prevention and rescue police from the Ho Chi Minh City police department sent vehicles and personnel to extinguish the fire and search for anyone still inside. Several people who escaped were covered in thick black smoke. Residents provided first aid, and some people went to hospital for health checks.

The road past the hotel remained blocked, with traffic redirected. Police also asked several people to come to a station for clarification. A Tan Son Nhi Ward official confirmed the fire. Asked about residents' reports that two people had died, the official said police were examining the scene and would issue information once investigators had concrete findings.

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Police are currently examining the scene; we will provide information after there is concrete information from the investigating authorities.