Fire and explosion at scrap shop, 3 mother and children died

Hanoi: A house specializing in scrap metal business in Hong Ha urban area caught fire with a loud explosion, killing 3 family members on the afternoon of October 26.

At around 5:40 p.m., the fire started. The pressure from the burning house located next to the main road in the Hong Ha urban area, Tu Hiep commune, Thanh Tri district, caused two people riding a motorbike in the road in front of the house to fall.

Red flames engulfed the burning house. Photo: Pham Chieu — Red flames engulfed the burning house. Photo: *Pham Chieu*

According to a witness, when the fire broke out, there was a loud explosion like a gas tank exploding. At this time, the husband panicked and ran out from inside to call for help, then covered himself with a blanket and rushed into the fire to save his wife and child.

Because there were many flammable materials inside, the fire quickly engulfed the entire house. Black smoke rose dozens of meters high.

Three fire trucks and 20 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. After about 20 minutes, the fire was completely extinguished.

Authorities inspect the scene of the fire. Photo: Pham Chieu — Authorities inspect the scene of the fire. Photo: *Pham Chieu*

Thanh Tri District Police said the fire killed a mother (31 years old), two children aged 11 and 5; the husband (35 years old) was burned and is being treated at the hospital. The victims were from Nam Dinh . At 6:30 p.m., the bodies of the mother and children were taken to the ambulance.

The burned house was about 30 square meters wide, a temporary house built for scrap business. After the fire, the house completely collapsed, the furniture inside was scattered around.

Objects scattered after the fire. Photo: Pham Chieu — Objects scattered after the fire. Photo: *Pham Chieu*

At 7:30 p.m., authorities blocked off the scene and used flashlights to check inside.

The initial cause was determined to be due to the family using a specialized scrap press machine, pressing a hairspray can causing an explosion, the fire spread to the area where the gas tank was stored, leading to a fire and explosion.