Man arrested after rooftop trash fires spread to neighboring homes in Hanoi

According to investigators, Hoang Cong Son, a resident of Lang Ward, is being investigated for ‘disturbing public order.’

Last Friday morning, Son collected household waste, including wooden scraps and dry leaves, and brought it to his rooftop to burn.

While the trash was still smoldering, he went downstairs to eat, leaving the fire unattended.

About 10 minutes later, the flames grew uncontrollably.

Son tried to extinguish the blaze with a bucket of water but failed.

Police and firefighters arrived shortly after and managed to put out the fire, warning Son to stop burning trash on the fifth floor of his house.

However, just a few hours later, Son ignored the warning.

At around 5:00 pm, he again carried trash to the rooftop and set it alight.

When the garbage was nearly burned out, leaving only glowing embers, he went downstairs to shower and cook dinner.

At around 9:30 pm, residents nearby saw flames erupting from the house. They banged on doors and shouted for help as the fire rapidly spread to adjacent rooftops.

Dozens of firefighters quickly arrived with four fire trucks to contain the blaze and evacuate residents.

The fire was extinguished later that night, with no casualties but property damage reported in two neighboring homes.

Son has been taken into custody for further investigation.