Ho Chi Minh City Restaurant Fire Kills Four People

Photo courtesy of VN Express

A fire at a central Ho Chi Minh City restaurant claimed four lives early Friday. The blaze, which began around 5:00 a.m. in a hotpot and snail eatery near Ben Thanh Market, led to deaths from smoke inhalation, as confirmed by local authorities and a hospital. The fire trapped several individuals as it rapidly spread, blocking the main exit.

The fire occurred on Tran Hung Dao Street, formerly part of District 1. It spread quickly due to flammable materials, causing chaos and panic. Witnesses reported some individuals climbing to the rooftop to escape the smoke and call for help.

Firefighters arrived promptly, deploying five fire engines, a ladder truck, and over 50 officers. They managed to control the fire within about 30 minutes, though the restaurant suffered significant damage. Emergency teams transported six victims to Gia Dinh People's Hospital's secondary facility, where four were declared dead.

The fatalities included three women and one man, who suffered cardiac arrest from smoke inhalation. The other two victims required specialized care and were transferred to the hospital’s main campus. Authorities continued their work on-site until 6:00 a.m. to cool the area, while the cause remains under investigation.

The three-storey restaurant has limited safety features, with only a single emergency exit at the main door and upper floors lacking balconies due to facade signage. Its location is close to Tan Dinh General Hospital and the Ho Chi Minh City Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department headquarters, reported VN Express.

Key Takeaways

• A restaurant fire in Ho Chi Minh City resulted in four deaths from smoke inhalation.
• The fire spread rapidly due to flammable materials, blocking exits and trapping victims.
• Authorities are investigating the cause while addressing the facility's limited safety features.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-12-05