Welders Started Fire Fatal to 61, Police Say
- Share via
From Times Wire Reports
Two welders admitted accidentally starting an inferno in Ho Chi Minh City that killed at least 61 people, police said. Phan Viet Thanh, 19, and Nguyen Phu Tin, 32, surrendered, and police were still investigating whether a third welder was in hiding or had died in the blaze.
Thanh said the flame from a welding torch accidentally set fire to plastic decoration sheets on the ceiling of a disco in the six-story Saigon International Trade Center on Tuesday, an officer reported. The welder told police that they tried to put out the fire and then fled.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
