Fire rages through building in Vietnam, killing at least 59 people

Wednesday, October 30th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP) _ A massive blaze tore through a large building in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, killing at least 59 people. State-controlled newspapers said Wednesday the death toll could exceed 100.

Rescuers searched frantically following Tuesday's blaze for dozens of people believed still trapped Wednesday inside the six-story building, where a wedding reception with more than 500 guests had been taking place.

An American insurance company with offices there was also conducting a training seminar for about 100 employees when the fire erupted. Six staff members of the American International Assurance Co. were still missing, a company official said.

Among the 59 confirmed dead were two Britons and a Vietnamese-American, officials said. Their names were not immediately released. There were unconfirmed reports that other Americans were missing, U.S. Consulate spokesman Robert Ogburn said.

Firefighters battled the inferno for hours, but the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper said inadequate equipment and intense flames and heat kept them from reaching many victims inside the Saigon International Trade Center, which housed shops, offices of foreign firms, and a popular dance club.

Hospital officials said more than 100 people were hospitalized, many with serious injuries _ some from burns and some from jumping out the building's windows.

An official of Military Hospital 175 said the facility had received 46 bodies, many burned beyond recognition. Only 10 had been identified, he said.

State-run Vietnam Television reported Wednesday that 100 body bags were needed.

``There are still no clear figures of dead, missing or injured, but the loss of life could be very big,'' the television said.

But the Lao Dong (Labor) newspaper quoted firefighter Nguyen Van Quy as saying: ``We have counted about 100 bodies at various floors of the trading center, including one of a foreigner.''

Other state media gave a similar estimate Wednesday.

Several hundred weeping relatives anxiously waited outside a hospital mortuary.

``Our whole family has gone to many hospitals around the city since Tuesday trying to find my sister, who was inside the building, but no luck so far,'' said Tran Thi Thanh Tuyen.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Saigon, is Vietnam's southern commercial center and largest city. Ho Chi Minh City Mayor Le Thanh Hai said the fire was the city's worst in both loss of life and property damage.

Firefighters used ladder trucks to help some people escape from the roof but they were unable to reach at least one man who cried for help from a window because they lacked the proper equipment. Flames raged at other windows.

``What is worrying is that firefighters were not equipped with the necessary equipment to put out the fire,'' Vietnam Television said. ``It took them more than three hours to bring the water hose inside the building, and sometimes they did not have enough water.''

Smoke lingered over the crowded neighborhood Tuesday evening and much of the building remained too hot to enter. Firefighters sprayed water onto the sizzling debris, hoping temperatures would cool enough for them to go inside.

The American International Assurance Co. was conducting a training program for insurance agents when the fire began, said a company official who identified herself only as Tien. Six staff members were missing and about 30 were injured, some seriously, she said.

``A bell rang, and then the electricity cut off,'' Tien said. ``The fire came very fast.''

Police were still investigating the cause of the fire, but suspected a gas leak on the second floor, city culture and ideology chief Pham Phuong Thao said.

But the Vietnam News Agency said an electrical short circuit was suspected.

Police also said they suspected it started in the Blue Disco, the city's most popular dance spot.

Thao said all entertainment activities would be suspended in the city for three days to honor the dead.