A huge fire has completely ruined a trade centre in the northern province of Hai Duong, resulting in a total loss of VND400 billion (USD19 million) for more than 500 traders.

The trade centre destroyed by the fired

The fire broke out in a clothing stall on the second floor of the Trade Centre at 3am on September 15 and rapidly spread to other stalls on the same floor; some of the stalls contained highly flammable cloth materials.

The fire brigade sent out 16 trucks and hundreds of firefighters, but so far the fire hasn't been put under control. Smoke has continued coming from many parts of the building, particularly at the places where walls collapsed.

Over 500 traders, who had stalls  at the centre have gathered there, some bemoaning their losses, and some others even hoping that part of their assets might be saved.

Truong Thi Hong, a trader, said two cloth and cosmetics kiosks belonging to her family, worth a total VND2 billion (USD952,238) have been lost. She also had around VND300 million (USD14,285) in cash in the strongbox.

The Hai Duong police have set up an inspection team to try and find the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, Hai Duong People’s Committee has decided to use the local budget to donate VND10 million to each trader. For the children of the traders who are high school students there will be an exemption from tuition fees in the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years. Children who are studying at colleges and universities or doing vocational training, will be provided VND3 million (USD142.85) each.

The Hai Duong trade centre after the fire

Traders gathering the burnt down centre