Workshop owner arrested after fire kills three in Hanoi

Hanoi police have initiated legal proceedings, charging and arresting Bui Huu Hao, the 41-year-old owner of a furniture workshop, in connection with a fatal fire. The blaze, which occurred on August 19th, claimed the lives of three individuals and resulted in significant property damage.

Hao is accused of violating fire safety regulations, a critical factor in the tragic outcome. The fire broke out around 10:20 AM at the workshop, located in the Ngoc Hoa industrial complex in Chuong My district. Firefighting forces were immediately dispatched, with eight fire engines, two rescue vehicles, and 66 personnel responding to the scene.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a rapidly escalating fire fueled by wood, plastic, and solvents, posing a risk of spreading to adjacent areas. The fire was eventually brought under control around 12:05 PM the same day. Initial investigations revealed that the workshop, leased by Kien Truc va Noi That Moc Bui Gia and owned by Hao, had not been registered for fire safety and had not obtained the necessary certification for fire safety.

Compounding the issue, the rented workshop area had previously been ordered to cease operations by authorities due to fire safety violations. However, these issues were not fully addressed before the devastating fire occurred. The incident not only resulted in three fatalities and two injuries but also destroyed the approximately 700-square-meter workshop and impacted neighboring businesses.