Police in Thu Duc City announced on Monday afternoon that the fire occurred at a house in Lane 4, in Hiep Binh Chanh Ward at 2am. There were four people inside the house at that time and three of them managed to flee by climbing to a nearby house from the balcony of the third floor.

Some neighbours arrived and helped prevent the fire from spreading using mini fire extinguishers before firefighters came and controlled the fire.

Rescue team then found the body of a woman in the debris. She was identified as the 61-year-old home help.

Most of the furniture on the first and second floor had been burnt down.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.