Fire at 40-storey apartment building in Nha Trang, hundreds of people flee

Khanh Hoa Smoke and fire billowed from an apartment building in the Muong Thanh Vien Trieu complex in Vinh Phuoc ward, Nha Trang city, residents fled in panic, on the evening of December 17.

People escape after a fire broke out on the evening of December 17. Photo: Bui Toan

At around 6pm, smoke billowed from an apartment of over 70 square metres on the 25th floor of the OC3 Muong Thanh Vien Trieu building on the coastal road of Pham Van Dong. A few minutes later, the smoke and fire rose fiercely, the fire alarm rang, and hundreds of residents in the building tried to escape.

After the bell rang, the elevator continued to operate for a while, then stopped when the building's power system was cut off. Many people had to move down the stairs. Ms. Thao, a resident on the 28th floor, said that when she heard the fire alarm, her whole family ran down the stairs, shouting loudly on the street to let other households know.

"At this time, many people were running around, creating a chaotic atmosphere. Some people were injured from falling, and some were stuck in the elevator," said Ms. Thao.

Fire police present inside the burning building. Photo: Bui Toan

The Fire Police stationed about 3 km away sent more than 50 soldiers and 5 fire trucks to the scene. Because the fire was too high for the ladder truck to reach, dozens of soldiers wearing oxygen masks and carrying specialized fire fighting equipment approached the scene by stairs.

About 30 minutes later, the fire was under control. One person who was stuck in the elevator for nearly 20 minutes was rescued. Several injured people were taken to the hospital. The house where the incident occurred belonged to a couple who were teachers. When they saw the fire, they ran outside and asked for help from the forces in the apartment building. Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Muong Thanh Vien Trieu complex consists of 5 apartment buildings and a hotel. The building where the fire broke out is 40 stories high, with about 500 residents and tourists living there.

Bui Toan

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