Authorities investigate karaoke bar fire in Hanoi, Vietnam

AUTHORITIES are investigating a massive blaze that gutted an eight-storey karaoke lounge in Vietnam, killing 13 people.

Firefighters battling a fire at a karaoke bar in Hanoi. Picture: AFP

A FIRE at a multi-storey karaoke bar in Vietnam’s capital has reportedly killed 13 people.

The fire broke out at the eight-storey karaoke parlour in Hanoi and quickly spread to several nearby buildings housing restaurants and other karaoke bars, state media says.

Firefighters extinguish the deadly blaze at a karaoke bar in Hanoi. Picture: AFP

Damage to buildings is seen after a fire in a karaoke bar in Hanoi. Picture: AFP

It took firefighters about five hours to put out the blaze. Online newspaper VnExpress quoted Maj Gen Doan Viet Manh of the fire department as saying that 13 bodies were recovered from the scene.

State-controlled media quoted a guard at the karaoke bar as saying the fire started at its sign board.

Government officials were not available for comment.

It took firefighters about five hours to extinguish the deadly blaze. Picture: AFP