HCMC - A fire broke out in a 4-story restaurant in District 1, HCMC, in the early hours of January 18, resulting in significant damage but no casualties.

Around 1:30 a.m., the blaze erupted at the address 162 Tran Hung Dao Street, rapidly engulfing the entire restaurant's four floors, including its rooftop terrace. Each level, covering an estimated 80 square meters, succumbed to the fire. Despite efforts by local residents to extinguish the growing inferno, the fire quickly intensified, emitting intense heat and thick smoke. The blaze disrupted the power supply in the neighborhood, trapping 20 individuals in an adjacent apartment building and three more in a house neighboring the restaurant.

The Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Division (PC07) under the HCMC Public Security Department swiftly responded to the scene. They evacuated the trapped residents and employed water streams to combat the fire. By 2:00 a.m., the situation was brought under control, with the flames fully extinguished within half an hour.

Initial suspicions point to potential renovations taking place at the restaurant when the fire ignited. No injuries were reported, but the blaze caused extensive damage, consuming approximately 170 square meters of the vegetarian restaurant. The aftermath left behind a trail of charred equipment and furnishings. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.