14 killed in karaoke parlor fire in Binh Duong

Two others were injured while escaping the fire while several people were rescued, the province’s chairman Vo Van Minh confirmed Wednesday.

Smoke is seen at a karaoke parlor that caught fire in Binh Duong Province, September 7, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan

The fire engulfed An Phu karaoke parlor on Tran Quang Dieu Street of An Phu Ward of Thuan An Town, 50 minutes drive from HCMC, at around 9 p.m. Tuesday night.

The parlor staff used mini fire extinguishers to put it out, to no avail. The fire then spread quickly and trapped many staff members and customers inside, covering over 400 square meters on the second and third floors of the three-story parlor, which has been operating for five years.

The fire grew stronger as it caught the soundproof foam mattresses and the wooden interior. As it blocked the emergency exit, many people were forced to rush to the balcony and four jumped down from the second floor at the height of 7-8 m and got injured.

It took 40 minutes for 13 fire trucks to stop the fire.

A firefighter stands on the roof of a burned karaoke parlor in Binh Duong, September 7, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan

Duong Ba Khuong, a 27-year-old employee of the parlor, said it all started after he heard some explosions on the first and second floors. Some people went to check and saw columns of smoke and felt the heat. They then called for help.

Nguyen Sang, who lives near the karaoke parlor, said when fire trucks arrived at the scene, a receptionist ran outside and announced that there were about 40 people trapped inside.

“Some people ran down through the main door, many people couldn’t stand the hot fire and had to jump from the high floors, breaking their limbs,” he said.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

 

 

14 killed in karaoke parlor fire in Binh Duong

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