Scene of devastation at Thanh Da market fire, many traders lost all their property

7 kiosks at Thanh Da market selling books, clothes, household items... were burned down, leaving the traders empty-handed after 1 night.

At noon on March 17, Ho Chi Minh City Police were still coordinating with Ward 27 Police, Binh Thanh District to block off and examine the scene of the fire at the row of kiosks inside Thanh Da market.

According to records, after the fire overnight, a corner of Thanh Da market (Binh Thanh district) was in disarray and in ruins. Seven stalls, which were the livelihood of dozens of households, were completely burned down.

Witnessing the scene of their assets reduced to ashes after the fire, many small traders had to bow their heads, tears in their eyes.

A corner of Thanh Da market was devastated after a big fire broke out overnight. Photo: TK.

Ms. Ha (owner of a children's toy stall) shared that at around 10:15 pm last night (March 17), she was at home when she heard the fire alarm so she immediately ran to the market.

Before her eyes at that time was a red 'sea of fire' engulfing a row of clothing and children's toy kiosks... Although the fire police and rescue force of Ho Chi Minh City Police approached, it took a long time to control the fire, so almost all the furniture and assets inside the stalls turned to ashes.

Looking at the rubble, Mrs. Ha sadly said that she had just imported a large shipment to prepare for the summer. "But in just one night, I lost everything," Mrs. Ha said.

Mrs. Ut (front) sat absent-mindedly looking at the kiosk selling textbooks and school supplies that turned to ashes overnight. Photo: TK.

Sitting absent-mindedly in front of her burnt stall, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut said she has not been able to sleep since late last night.

She said she worked for the owner of a textbook stall and the school supplies were burned down.

"Last night, at 9 p.m., I turned off the circuit breaker, closed the stall door and went home. Then I received news of a fire. When I ran out, the fire had already engulfed many kiosks. Now everything has been burned to ashes," said Ms. Ut.

The scene of devastation after the fire caused small traders to lose all their assets overnight. Photo: TK.

According to trader Nguyen The Quan (living in Binh Thanh district), the fire area is located next to his kiosk.

When the fire broke out, the whole family shouted to each other to move their belongings away for fear of the fire spreading.

"The area burned very quickly, the red flames filled the sky, making on-site firefighting ineffective. By the time the fire truck arrived at the scene, the fire was extinguished but the goods of the traders could not be saved," Mr. Quan sadly recounted.

The fire area at Thanh Da market was about 63 square meters, including 7 kiosks. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Photo: TK.

The Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City Police (PC07) said that the fire area was built temporarily in front of Thanh Da market, not solid. The fire area was about 63 square meters, including 7 kiosks. Fortunately, there were no human casualties.

Thanh Da Market is located in the middle of 13 Thanh Da residential blocks, where more than 1,000 people live. When the fire broke out, many adults and children evacuated downstairs to ensure safety and avoid breathing in the toxic smoke rising to the floors of the residential area.