Fire at Ho Chi Minh City apartment burns mother, 2 children

The blaze broke out at about 3:30 am. at the Ehome S apartment complex in Long Truong Ward, setting off fire alarms and forcing residents to flee, police said. 

Firefighters rescued the three from the apartment and took them to hospital.

Hospital officials said the victims, a 32-year-old woman and her two daughters aged six and nine, suffered smoke inhalation and burns. 

One child sustained burns over about 20 percent of her body, while the other suffered less severe burns. 

The mother also sustained burns over about 19 percent of her body.

Authorities have cordoned off the area and are investigating the cause of the fire, police said.