A three-story general store in Ho Chi Minh City's Chanh Hung ward was engulfed in flames on the evening of 4/9, forcing a mother and her 12-year-old daughter to evacuate. The incident, which began around 8:30 p.m., originated on the third floor of the approximately 80 square meter house on Pham The Hien street, located about 1,5 km from the Y-shaped bridge. At the time, the mother, aged 40, and her daughter quickly ran out, shouting for help.

As smoke and flames intensified, neighbors quickly mobilized, bringing more than ten mini fire extinguishers. They attempted to douse the fire from the front of the house and an adjacent balcony to prevent its spread, but the blaze continued to rage.

Flames engulf the general store. *Cam Tien*

Ms. Huong, 60 years old, an eyewitness living nearby, described the rapid escalation of the fire. She noted that many residents focused on spraying extinguishers on ground-floor goods to protect them. The mother sustained minor superficial burns and received medical attention via ambulance. "The girl was unharmed and escaped with her dog; she was very panicked but was comforted by many people," Ms. Huong said.

The 12-year-old girl and her mother, having escaped the burning house, are comforted by residents. *Dinh Van*

Numerous fire trucks and more than 30 firefighters quickly arrived at the scene. They deployed hoses, bringing the fire under control in about 20 minutes. While no casualties were reported, the incident resulted in significant property damage within the house.

Dinh Van