Around 5:30 AM, smoke and flames originated from the waste oil storage area within the hazardous waste treatment plant operated by Ha Loc Co., Ltd., located in the Toc Tien Concentrated Waste Treatment Complex (formerly Ba Ria - Vung Tau). The fire quickly spread to two workshops, creating a column of black smoke dozens of meters high.

The workshop area collapsed after the fire. Photo: Hung Le

Company employees attempted to use on-site firefighting equipment but could not control the blaze. The Ho Chi Minh City Police Department's Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police dispatched 6 fire trucks and dozens of officers and soldiers to the scene. Authorities deployed a perimeter to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent areas.

By after 9 AM, the fire was largely contained. The incident caused no casualties; however, the workshop, spanning hundreds of square meters, was destroyed, leaving only steel frames. Corrugated iron roofs were deformed and collapsed onto the storage tanks below; many drums and material containers were charred and covered in black soot.

Oil spread into puddles inside the plant. Photo: Hung Le

A leader from Chau Pha commune stated that the affected area is located within a specialized waste treatment sub-zone of the Toc Tien Concentrated Waste Treatment Complex, thus not causing significant environmental impact to the surrounding area.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Truong Ha