Local reports indicate that the blaze erupted at approximately midnight local time on Wednesday but was brought under control by 2 am (19:00 GMT).

According to the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA), the fire engulfed a nine-storey residential building located in a narrow alley in the southwestern residential area of Hanoi. This apartment block was home to around 150 residents at the time of the incident.

Miraculously, around 70 people were rescued from the blazing inferno, with 54 of them receiving urgent medical attention. However, the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed by authorities, leaving families and the community in a state of shock and grief.

Emergency operations are currently underway to rescue any survivors who may still be trapped within the building. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities are working diligently to provide assistance and support to the affected residents and their families. (ILKHA)