Half of Hanoi's Nhat Tan Market has been lost to a fire that swept through stalls on December 11, causing damage topping VND10 billion (USD475,000).
Burnt out Nhat Tan Market
Hundreds of fire fighters battled the blaze, which was apparently caused by an electrical short circuit inside the 2,000 square metre market. Half of the 48 kiosk owners have reported losses.
Officials said the fire spread quickly through cloth shops and food stalls, with exploding oil and gas canisters fuelling the blaze. But fire fighters were able to contain the blaze before it reached gas supply shops, averting what could have been a major disaster.
Le Thi Hang, a trader at Nhat Tan Market, said, "At first, we used water to try to extinguish the fire, but it only got stronger and spread because of strong winds."
Traders said they hoped to receive help from the government so they can reopen the market.
Nguyen Phuc Quang, chairman of Tay Ho District People's Committee, said Nhat Tan Market was under management of a private company, which meant tax relief was not an immediate option.
"We'll make the proposal to the General Department of Taxation to see if anything can be done," Quang said. "If traders want to contact and gain support from other agencies, we'll do our best to help them."
