A motorbike caught fire on Binh Loi Bridge on the afternoon of 8/5, leading to a traffic jam stretching over one kilometer on a vital eastern route of Ho Chi Minh City. The incident occurred around 5 PM as a man was driving his motorbike from Nguyen Thai Son roundabout towards Gigamall shopping center.

A vehicle fire emits thick smoke in the Binh Loi Bridge area on the afternoon of 8/5. Anh: Dinh Van

Upon reaching the middle of the bridge, the driver noticed smoke and flames rising from his vehicle. He promptly stopped near the bridge railing to extinguish the fire, but his efforts were unsuccessful. The flames quickly intensified, emitting thick black smoke that enveloped the area. Other vehicles slowed down and swerved to avoid the scene, fearing an explosion, while the dense smoke also reduced visibility.

After about 10 minutes, residents and traffic police used several mini fire extinguishers to combat the blaze. A fire truck was also dispatched to provide assistance. By 5:30 PM, the fire was brought under control, but the motorbike was completely destroyed.

The incident occurred during rush hour, causing traffic congestion on Pham Van Dong street from the airport towards Thu Duc. Anh: Dinh Van

The incident, occurring precisely during rush hour, significantly impacted traffic on Pham Van Dong street, a crucial artery connecting Binh Thanh district with the former Thu Duc area in eastern Ho Chi Minh City. Vehicles moved slowly past the scene, contributing to the extensive congestion.

Binh Loi Bridge, spanning the Saigon River, opened in 2019. It replaced an old iron bridge that had served for over 100 years. The structure is distinctive for its red steel arch, weighing approximately 3,000 tons, and is considered Vietnam's largest bridge arch.

Dinh Van