Long, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association, along with many other concerned Vietnamese citizens, closely followed news updates regarding the recent fire incident at an apartment block in Thanh Xuan District of the capital last Tuesday night.
On Khuong Ha Street in the district, a devastating fire broke out in an apartment block situated down a narrow alley. Tragically, this conflagration resulted in the loss of 56 lives and left 37 individuals injured.
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| A painting by artist Le Sa Long depicts the scene of a tragic apartment building fire in Hanoi, September 2023. Photo: Supplied |
The tragic event served as a source of inspiration for Long, prompting him to devote almost three days to meticulously crafting a collection of seven paintings as a poignant tribute to the victims who were lost.
Sequential Narrative Paintings
Out of the seven paintings, five form a sequential narrative.
In the following paintings, the heroic efforts of emergency responders are vividly portrayed as they valiantly work to extinguish the raging flames and rescue individuals trapped inside the burning structure.
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| A painting by artist Le Sa Long depicts two brave emergency responders fearlessly entering a burning building to rescue victims in Hanoi, September 2023. Photo: Supplied |
The remaining two artworks feature individual portraits.
One of the heroes in the incident is Nguyen Dang Van, a 30-year-old deliveryman hailing from Bac Ninh Province in northern Vietnam. He courageously aided in the rescue operation, saving nine individuals from the fire.
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| A painting by artist Le Sa Long depicts police officers, firefighters, and civilians banding together to rescue victims of a tragic apartment building fire in Hanoi, September 2023. Photo: Supplied |
Pham Quoc Viet
Founder and Leader of First Aid Support Angels
Pham Quoc Viet is the founder and leader of First Aid Support Angels, a distinguished civilian charity organization based in Hanoi. Committed to providing immediate and effective first aid assistance for all types of accidents, the organization has made a significant impact in the local community.
Viet and his team offered assistance during the recent fire incident on Tuesday evening.
“If given the chance to personally meet these courageous individuals, Pham Quoc Viet and Nguyen Dang Van, I would like to express my gratitude by presenting them with portrait paintings. Their selfless acts of rescuing others without considering their own safety deserve recognition and appreciation,” stated Long.
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| A painting by artist Le Sa Long depicts emergency responders working at the scene of a tragic apartment building fire in Hanoi, September 2023. Photo: Supplied |
Long, the artist, is currently working on another oil painting that measures 120cm x 160cm. The painting focuses on a unique moment where firefighters found a moment of respite after successfully combating a deadly blaze on Tuesday night.
A painting will be auctioned by the artist with the intention of using the proceeds to offer support to the families of the 56 victims who tragically lost their lives.
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| A painting by artist Le Sa Long depicts a firefighter carrying a child out of a tragic apartment building fire in Hanoi, September 2023. Photo: Supplied |
The artist expressed his dedication and hard work in completing the initial set of seven paintings on Sunday night. This was timed just before several departments and organizations in Hanoi ceremonially observed a minute of silence the following Monday morning, to honor the memory of the 56 victims.
The outcome of his efforts, on the other hand, did not exhibit any signs of haste.
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| A portrait by artist Le Sa Long depicts Nguyen Van Dang, a heroic deliveryman who helped rescue nine people from the site of a tragic apartment building fire in Hanoi, September 2023. Photo: Supplied |
Long artfully touched on a poignant incident, expressing compassion and sensitivity while paying tribute to the fire brigade. Through his words, he skillfully promoted the importance of fire prevention and fighting, leaving a gentle yet impactful message.
He agreed with Hoang Song Viet, a highly accomplished composer of traditional southern Vietnam music and performance ‘cai luong’, on utilizing this tragic incident as inspiration for works of literature and art. The objective is to cultivate public consciousness about the significance of fire prevention and firefighting, especially in densely populated urban regions such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
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| A portrait by artist Le Sa Long depicts Pham Quoc Viet, founder and leader of First Aid Support Angels, a civilian charity organization dedicated to providing timely first aid for accidents in Hanoi, who led his team to help rescue victims at the site of a tragic apartment building fire in Hanoi, September 2023. Photo: Supplied |
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