Over 700 people take part in fire drill at Ho Chi Minh City shopping mall

The exercise was jointly organized by the fire prevention, firefighting and rescue police division under the municipal Department of Public Security and relevant agencies at the shopping center on Tan Thang Street in Tan Son Nhi Ward.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Tan Chau, deputy head of the division, commanded the operation on site.

According to the simulation, the incident began at 8:30 am in the mall’s basement parking area, where around 200 motorcycles and 10 cars were parked.

The basement also stored vehicle accessories and interior components made of combustible materials such as plastic body panels, rubber tires, and foam seat cushions.

Fuel leaked from several motorcycles left parked for an extended period, allowing gasoline vapors to accumulate.

The vapors ignited after coming into contact with an ignition source, triggering a fire that rapidly spread to nearby vehicles.

The blaze intensified as it reached electrical cables and cable trays mounted on the ceiling, producing intense heat, thick smoke and toxic gases.

The fire was then simulated spreading throughout the basement and into the upper floors via access ramps, stairwells, and utility shafts.

At the same time, a separate electrical short circuit was staged in an electronics store on the second floor.

Sparks ignited combustible materials, including plastic components and electrical equipment, causing the fire to spread quickly through an area filled with electronic products and decorative items.

During the simulated emergency, more than 700 people inside the shopping mall attempted to evacuate simultaneously, creating panic and congestion.

Initial firefighting and evacuation efforts faced significant challenges, requiring coordinated intervention from the mall’s in-house emergency team and professional firefighters.

The exercise also simulated eight casualties, including four people with minor injuries and four with serious injuries.

Upon receiving the emergency alert, the division rapidly deployed dozens of firefighters along with specialized fire engines and aerial ladder trucks to the scene.

Forces worked closely and extinguished the simulated fire, evacuating occupants to safety and rescuing those portrayed as trapped inside the building.