21 electric tourist vehicles destroyed in Hoi An garage fire

The blaze began at around 5 a.m. at the Hoi An Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd situated behind the Hoi An Public Works Company on Le Van Hien Street.

According to initial reports, the fire started when an electric vehicle exploded.

A security guard from a nearby state agency office noticed it first and tried to extinguish it along with some locals, but to no avail.

Fire engulfs a parking area where electric tourist vehicles are stored in Hoi An, July 26, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Dai Hiep

The fire rapidly spread under the garage’s metal roof.

Witnesses described seeing a black column of smoke rising hundreds of meters high accompanied by several loud explosions.

Four fire trucks and scores of firefighters arrived on the scene and put out the fire by around 6 a.m.

Most of the roof collapsed and 21 vehicles burned down, and only four remained intact.

Two of the four electric vehicles that are safe from a fire are taken out of the burned parking site in Hoi An City, July 26, 2024. Photo by Dai Hiep

Dinh Hoa, chairman of the local ward, Tan An, said the company rents the garage to park its vehicles overnight.

“The only damage was to the electric vehicles since the parking site is located far away from residential areas.”

The police are investigating the cause of the fire.