Around 10:20 PM, residents noticed flames inside the market, which quickly spread. Locals and on-site personnel attempted to extinguish the fire with extinguishers, but were unsuccessful.

Nhung, who lives across from the market, reported that the fire was extensive and reached a gas shop, causing several large explosions that hampered firefighting efforts. Dozens of firefighters are now on the scene, working with local forces to contain the blaze.

"This market primarily sells fish and other food items. It's usually unoccupied at night. There's a row of houses nearby, but the fire hasn't spread to them yet," Nhung said.

Authorities have closed provincial road 844 to facilitate firefighting operations. Ten years ago, the Tam Nong general market (opposite the food market) also experienced a late-night fire, destroying 20 kiosks and resulting in a loss of 6 billion VND.

Ngoc Tai