A devastating fire broke out in a four-story house with an additional attic level, located in Alley 180 Kim Hoa, Hanoi, resulting in five fatalities. The narrow frontage of the house, measuring approximately 25 m², its deep alley location, and the dense smoke and toxic fumes significantly hindered firefighting and rescue efforts by the Fire and Rescue Police.
Observations by reporters reveal numerous similarly narrow and deep alleys surrounding the fire-stricken area.
These alleys are barely wider than 1 meter.
One such alley, approximately 300 meters from the fire scene, measures around 1 meter in width.
Remarkably, some alleys are even narrower, barely allowing a single motorcycle to pass through.
These narrow alleys are densely populated, with many rental houses accommodating dozens of residents in cramped conditions.
A single motorcycle nearly occupies the entire width of the alley.
Sub-alley 17, Alley 180 Kim Hoa.
Numerous houses enclose their balconies with iron frames, commonly known as “cages.”
Many households extend their living spaces outward to increase usable area.
Some houses feature enclosed iron fences on balconies with emergency exits. However, during a fire, escaping through these exits remains perilous.
Balconies of these houses block natural light, leaving the alleys dark even during the day.
In response to the recent fire that claimed five lives, the authorities of Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam Ward, Hanoi, have implemented measures to enhance fire safety. These include installing public firefighting stations in residential areas, encouraging households to create secondary escape routes, and providing essential firefighting and rescue equipment such as hydraulic cutters, hammers, axes, and portable fire extinguishers. All households, including the one affected by the fire, have received guidance, awareness campaigns, and signed commitments to ensure fire safety compliance.
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