Fire from car carrying batteries kills 2 at Da Nang gas station
Two people died after a car caught fire while preparing to refuel at a gas station in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, police said on Saturday, with preliminary findings showing the vehicle was carrying multiple batteries and battery packs.
The scene of a car fire at a Petrolimex gas station in Thang Dien Commune, Da Nang City, central Vietnam, May 1, 2026 is seen in this handout image provided by a local resident.
The incident occurred at about 3:23 pm on Friday at Petrolimex station No. 90 in Thang Dien Commune, according to the Da Nang police investigation agency.
Police said Vo Nguyen Duy An, 24, drove the car to a fuel pump, with two passengers identified as T.H.T., 17, and D.A.K., 16, also on board.
As a station employee prepared to dispense fuel, an explosion occurred in the rear of the vehicle and flames quickly engulfed the car.
Station staff, local residents, and responders used fire extinguishers to fight the blaze, which was brought under control about 15 minutes later.
After the fire was extinguished, officers found the two passengers dead inside the vehicle.
A car burns at a Petrolimex gas station in Thang Dien Commune, Da Nang City, central Vietnam, May, 1, 2026 in this still image taken from security camera footage.
Preliminary verification showed the car was carrying about 20-25 battery packs rated at 24 volts and nine fully charged batteries used in electric toy vehicles.
The fire destroyed the car and severely damaged one fuel pump at the station, police said.
Investigators from the police investigation agency, prosecutors, forensic units, and fire and rescue forces examined the scene, conducted forensic procedures, and collected evidence to determine the cause of the fire and explosion.
Security camera footage also confirmed the sequence of events.
Le Hong Nghia, head of the SOS Quang Nam rescue team, said he was passing the station at the time and joined efforts to put out the fire.
Local authorities visit and offer support to the families of victims following a fatal car fire at a Petrolimex gas station in Thang Dien Commune, Da Nang City, central Vietnam, May 1, 2026. Photo: Supplied
"At that time, the driver only asked us to help save the vehicle and did not say there were people inside," Nghia told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.
Nghia said rescuers focused on preventing the fire from spreading and only discovered the victims after the blaze was controlled.
He added that the fire appeared to originate from the rear of the vehicle, where batteries were being transported, and that crackling sounds were heard during firefighting efforts.
Truong Cong Son, chairman of the People's Committee of Thang Dien Commune, said local authorities had visited the victims' families and provided initial support for funeral arrangements.
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Bao Anh - Le Trung / Tuoi Tre News
Link nội dung: https://news.tuoitre.vn/fire-from-car-carrying-batteries-kills-2-at-da-nang-gas-station-103260502103106597.htm