Just after 10h, the fire originated from an apartment on the corner of block LB at the Lexington apartment building, located on Mai Chi Tho street in Binh Trung ward, approximately 500 m from An Phu roundabout.

Smoke and flames billow from the burning apartment. *Video: Minh Bang*

The fire alarm sounded, and the building management used loudspeakers to instruct residents to evacuate via stairwells, advising against using elevators to avoid being trapped during a power outage. Some residents carried young children down from the 25th floor. Moments later, the fire intensified inside the apartment, sending thick smoke and flames billowing out the windows.

Several building staff members ascended to the apartment, using mini fire extinguishers for initial suppression to minimize the fire's spread. Two fire trucks and over a dozen firefighters arrived at the scene to manage the blaze.

Hundreds of residents evacuated to the apartment building's corridor after the fire alarm. *Photo: Minh Bang*

By 10h30, the fire was brought under control. The incident caused no casualties but destroyed numerous assets and furniture within the apartment. According to authorities, the cause of the incident was likely an electrical short circuit.

The Lexington apartment building has 25 floors and approximately 1,300 apartments.

Dinh Van