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Tuesday, 12 November, 2002, 08:25 GMT

Memorial for Vietnam fire victim

A memorial service for a Greater Manchester businessman who was killed in a fire in Vietnam is due to take place on Tuesday.

John Wallwork from Bolton died during the inferno which killed more than 60 people, at the Saigon International Business Centre in Ho Chi Minh City last month.

The service will take place in Mr Wallwork's home parish of Egerton.

He had been living and working in Vietnam for 10 years and was helping to rebuild the country's shipping sector.

The fire, on 29 October, is understood to have been started by faulty welding work.

Two welders have been arrested in connection with the fire at the business centre.

Mr Wallwork's firm had only just moved to the centre when the fire broke out.

Neighbours in Egerton said the 59-year-old was a "wonderful, kind hearted" man who was doing all he could to help the Vietnam economy.

About 500 people were in the building when it became engulfed by the fire.

The building houses offices, shops and a disco, which is where the fire is understood to have started.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing people jumping from upper floor windows to try and escape the inferno.


Related to this story:
Welders arrested over Vietnam fire (01 Nov 02 | Asia-Pacific) Vietnam fire 'started by bad welding' (31 Oct 02 | Asia-Pacific) Two Britons die in Vietnam fire (30 Oct 02 | England) In pictures: Ho Chi Minh's inferno (29 Oct 02 | Asia-Pacific) Dozens killed in Vietnam blaze (29 Oct 02 | Asia-Pacific) Country profile: Vietnam (28 Sep 02 | Country profiles)


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