Thirteen people have been killed in a fire at a karaoke bar in Hanoi's Tran Thai Tong Street  on Tuesday afternoon, according to local authorities.

 A fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon, killing 13 people and destroying four buildings in Hanoi’s Tran Thai Tong Street.

The fire broke out at 1.50pm from the karaoke bar at No.68 Tran Thai Tong Street in Cau Giay District and quickly spread to three neighbouring buildings, which are six- to ten-storey restaurants, fashion stores and karaoke bars, said Chairman of Cau Giay District People's Committee, Duong Cao Thanh.

Hundreds of firefighters were sent to the site

Hundreds of firefighters were sent to the site and struggled to put it under control by 7pm, Duong said.

Hanoi Party Secretary, Hoang Trung Hai, arrived to direct the rescue work on Tuesday evening

13 people have been found dead in the four buildings which were all burnt down by late in the evening.

Several cars and motorbikes parked in front of these buildings were also destroyed in the blaze. 

Speaking with the media on the sidelines of a National Assembly meeting on Wednesday morning, Hanoi Party Secretary, Hoang Trung Hai, said that initial investigation showed that the fire was caused by careless work of a group of welders who were making an advertising board for the karaoke bar.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked Hanoi authorities to oversee the search and rescue and the city police to investigate the incident.