Deadly fire erupts in apartment building in Hanoi, Vietnam

An overnight fire in an apartment building in Hanoi, Vietnam killed 14 people and injured six others. The building was in a narrow alley, making it hard for firetrucks to reach. Firefighters used hoses to put out the fire that started at 12:30 a.m. and caused explosions. It took an hour to stop the fire. A neighbor, Nguyen Thanh Trung, heard the explosions, went outside, and helped people escape by breaking a window with a ladder. The building had 24 residents - seven in the owner's family and 17 tenants. The injured are stable and receiving treatment at Hanoi Transport Hospital. The fire began in the building's courtyard used as a garage for electric bikes. The family often charged the bikes' batteries at night. The police later closed off the alley. Burnt motorbikes, plants, and belongings were left in the apartment. The authorities promised to give $1,962 to the families of the deceased and $1,177 to the injured as compensation. Rescue efforts were also difficult due to the narrow lanes in the city. AP journalist Aniruddha Ghosal in New Delhi helped with this report.