Police in Hanoi have launched a murder investigation and are probing a 51-year-old man accused of setting a fire that claimed 11 lives at a teahouse on Wednesday night.
The suspect, a resident of Dai Manh Commune in Dong Anh District, was apprehended around midnight on Thursday, approximately an hour after the fire broke out at the teahouse on Pham Van Dong Street, Bac Tu Liem District.
According to Hanoi police, the man admitted to visiting the teahouse to drink beer, where he became involved in an argument with the staff. Following the altercation, he allegedly purchased gasoline, poured it on the first floor, which housed many parked motorcycles, and set it alight before fleeing. Authorities also revealed that the suspect has a criminal history, including convictions for robbery and theft.
A burned teahouse on Pham Van Dong Street, Dec. 19, 2024. Photo by Read/Pham Chieu |
The emergency services hotline 114 received a call about the fire at 11:03 p.m. on Wednesday, reporting that multiple people were trapped inside the teahouse at 258 Pham Van Dong Street. Firefighting units from various districts, including Bac Tu Liem, Nam Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, and Tay Ho, responded to the scene within 10 minutes.
By 11:40 p.m., the fire was brought under control. Firefighters managed to rescue seven people but tragically discovered 11 fatalities.
Police are working to determine the suspect’s exact motives and identify the victims. They are also providing support to the victims’ families and coordinating efforts to address the aftermath of the tragedy.
The moment when a suspect sets the teahouse on fire. Video by Read/Huy Manh
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