On the evening of 3/5, Doctor Phung Sy Thuong, Director of Tho Xuan General Hospital, stated the facility is addressing the aftermath of a fire that occurred earlier that morning in the medication dispensing building on the hospital grounds.

The ceiling of Tho Xuan Hospital damaged by fire. *Photo by Quang Duc*.

According to Thuong, the fire started around 6h45 from a single-story building spanning over 200 m², located to the left of the hospital entrance. Flames quickly spread to the awning and plastic ceiling, producing thick black smoke rising tens of meters high, causing panic among many patients and their relatives.

Upon discovering the blaze, hospital staff used on-site firefighting equipment to contain the fire. Firefighters were then mobilized with specialized equipment to assist. After about 10 minutes, the fire was completely extinguished, preventing it from spreading to adjacent areas.

The scene revealed many sections of the plastic ceiling were burnt, falling onto the tiled floor or clinging to stainless steel chairs, corrugated iron frames, and distorted metal structures. Some equipment, like ceiling fans, was damaged by heat and smoke stains.

Hospital staff evacuated medicine and medical supplies to prevent fire spread. *Photo by Quang Duc*.

"The fire was contained promptly, preventing major damage. Medical examination and treatment activities at the hospital are continuing as normal," Thuong stated.

Thuong added that the hospital's fire prevention and fighting system was regularly inspected and functioning normally before the incident. The initial cause of the fire is believed to be an electrical short circuit.

The fire at Tho Xuan General Hospital on the morning of 3/5. *Video provided by residents*.

Tho Xuan General Hospital is a public hospital with a capacity of about 360 beds.

Le Hoang