A fire ravaged a motorbike seat cover shop in the southern province of Dong Nai on the evening of December 22 killing five.
The site of the fire
According to the initial investigation, the fire broke out at 7pm at Phong Phu shop in Bien Hoa City and quickly spread through the two-story building.
Despite the best efforts by neighbours to contain the flames, there was damage caused to two nearby structures. The materials, including leather, fabrics and sponge, kept inside the building where the fire started were extremely flammable. The flame was not contained until 9pm.
The five victims included a couple, both 84 years old, Tran Van Ben and Tran Thi Thao, who were the house owners as well as their 41-year old daughter Tran Thi Kim Tuyet.
Also caught in the blaze were Tuyet’s five-year old daughter and a nurse from Dong Nai General Hospital, who was at Ben’s house for acupuncture treatment.
According to Tran Pham Hung Phong, the son of Mr. Ben, the cause may have been electrical . His family has been operating the shop for nearly 20 years.
Hundreds of people gathering at the site