Fire engulfs bar next to Ben Thanh Market

Fire fighters put off a fire at a bar near Ben Thanh Market, HCMC, October 17, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Vui

The fire broke out at around 9:30 a.m. at the District K bar at 30 Thu Khoa Huan Street, about 50 meters from the northern gate of Ben Thanh Market, HCMC’s most popular tourist hotspot.

Nearly 10 fire trucks were sent to the site.

A policeman said the bar’s interiors comprise soundproofing materials, foams and sofas, making it difficult to put out the fire.

Smoke from District K bar fire billows behind Ben Thanh Market, October 17, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Thu Hang

Hundreds of people, including many foreign tourists, stood near to observe the situation.

Thu Hoai, a woman living near the bar, said there were many blasts before the fire broke out, and then black smoke billowed out.

to be updated