A breathtaking night at alley 131 Hong Ha, a "miracle" rescue amidst the raging fire.

In less than 30 minutes, a dramatic race against death unfolded on Hong Ha Street. Amidst the toxic smoke engulfing the six-story building, five lives were safely rescued by firefighters, much to the relief of the capital's residents.

23:02: "Red alert" in the quiet night

As most Hanoi residents were preparing to go to sleep, the Hanoi City Police Command Information Center suddenly received an urgent report: A fierce fire was raging at house number 47, alley 131 Hong Ha, Hong Ha ward.

The scene was a six-story building located deep within a narrow alley, posing a significant challenge to access. However, immediately after receiving the order, a large-scale rescue operation was swiftly activated. Six specialized vehicles (including five fire trucks and one command vehicle) along with more than 30 officers and soldiers from Fire and Rescue Teams No. 7, 8, 14 and the River Police Team immediately braved the wind to reach the epicenter of the fire.

The scene was engulfed in flames, and five lives were trapped.

At the scene, it was utter chaos. The fire, which started on the first floor – where many flammable items were stored – quickly formed thick columns of black smoke. According to the principles of heat, the toxic smoke and intense heat began to engulf the stairwell, spreading to the upper floors and cutting off the only escape route for those inside.

In the panic, two people were fortunate enough to have managed to escape on their own. However, information from residents only intensified the tension: Five people were still trapped inside. Among them was an elderly person and, notably, a baby only about one year old (born in 2025).

At this moment, the six-story building resembled a "furnace." Toxic fumes were spreading rapidly, and every passing second was a chance for the victims to survive.

23 "golden" minutes and a breathtaking rescue.

Without delay, the authorities, along with the ward police, neighborhood watch, and local security forces, coordinated seamlessly. While one team directly attacked the fire on the first floor to prevent it from spreading, another team used specialized equipment and gas masks to access the upper floors – where the victims were desperately clinging on.

The bravery of the firefighters yielded results beyond expectations. One by one, people were rescued from the danger zone with the close support of their colleagues. The image of a baby born in 2025 and an elderly person being carried out of the black smoke became the most touching moment of the night.

At exactly 11:25 PM, the fire was officially extinguished completely. All five victims were rescued safely, with no casualties. A true "miracle" occurred in the heart of Hanoi thanks to the extremely quick response of the authorities.

A heartwarming ending and a timeless warning.

According to the latest update from the health authorities, the health of all five victims has gradually stabilized after thorough examination. Although the extent of property damage is still being assessed, the successful rescue of all victims is considered a major achievement for the Hanoi Fire Department.

Currently, the scene has been sealed off for investigation. The cause of the fire is being determined by the authorities.

The incident once again serves as a wake-up call regarding fire safety in high-rise buildings located in narrow alleys. The composure of the residents and the skill of the firefighters were key to writing a happy ending to the dramatic story at Alley 131 Hong Ha last night.

Fire in a 7-storey house in Hanoi: The owner jumped to escape, a 100-year-old woman was trapped Linh Trần15:18:39 08/01/2026On the morning of January 8, a serious fire occurred at a high-rise house at 84 Le Loi Street, Ha Dong Ward, Hanoi. The owner had to jump from a high floor to escape, and the nearly 100-year-old woman was still trapped inside.