The developer of an apartment complex in Ho Chi Minh City, where 13 people were killed and nearly 100 injured in a fire last week, has offered financial assistance to the victims and affected residents, and promised to deal with the consequences within 30 days.

The Hung Thanh Construction - Trading - Service - Production Company, which developed the Carina Plaza apartment complex in District 8, announced the support in a document on Sunday evening.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh arrived at the venue and talked with local residents on the morning of the same day.

The fire broke out at Block A of the three-block apartment complex early on Friday morning, killing 13 people and injuring nearly 100 others.

The blaze started in the parking basement of the 21-story building, with its smoke and heat reaching as high as the 14th floor.

Most residents were sleeping at the time and were unalarmed as neither the fire alarm nor the water sprinkler system, put into use in 2009, was activated.

Eleven of the deceased victims died of smoke inhalation, while the other two fatally fell during their escape from the building.

Affected residents have been temporarily relocated to Block B and C, and an apartment building opposite the Carina Plaza. Some others decided to find a hotel or go to their relatives’ houses.

Hung Thanh Company has promised to deal with the consequences in Block A within 30 days, starting from March 26.

Motorbikes kept in the parking basement were burned down after the fire. Photo: Tuoi Tre

However, competent authorities will need to carry out a safety evaluation before residents can move back into their homes.

The firm will also provide VND100 million (US$4,400) for each deceased victim and pay all medical bills for the wounded.

The total financial support for the dead and injured victims is worth over VND1.8 billion ($79,200).

Each affected household is also provided with VND300,000 ($13) every day until they are able to return home.

The developer will work with managers of the apartment buildings regarding the damaged vehicles, which were kept in the parking basement, for further assistance.

According to Bui Quang Nghiem, a member of the Ho Chi Minh Bar Association, authorities are still investigating the cause of the inferno so it is still early to hold anyone accountable.

The failure of the alarm system should be blamed on the agency that supplied the devices and operates them, Nghiem stated.

Those who violate regulations on fire safety shall be fined VND30 million ($1,316) to VND50 million ($2,193), Ky Quan, a local lawyer, said, adding that they could also be criminally charged and face jail terms of up to 12 years if any serious consequence arises.

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