A fire broke out at a 2,000sq.m shopping mall in Tu Son Town in the northern province of Bac Ninh on Wednesday morning, causing widespread panic.

Phu Dien Shopping Mall in Tu Son Town on Wednesday morning. 

Head of the town’s People’s Committee Nguyen Van Cuong said the fire was first detected at about 7am at a garment storehouse on the second floor of the three-storey Phu Dien Shopping Mall.

Firefighters were mobilised and people from the surrounding area rushed in to help traders rescue their goods.

Most stores were closed at the time, so firefighters had to break in to stamp out the fire.

The fire was brought under control at around 8am after destroying four garment stores. — VNS