VietNamNet Bridge – On October 28, an explosion suddenly exploded on Binh Loi road, in front of the house No. 236 in Ward 13, Binh Thanh district. After the explosion, a hole of 20cm in diameter and 30cm deep was formed on the road. In the hole, water was boiling and fire of over 1m high blazed up after each several minutes.

Shortly after, the Department of Science and Technology of HCM City collected samples of soil, water and air inside the pit for analysis to determine the cause of the incident.

Initial test results show that the methane concentration in the pit was unusually high, while the soil did not have anything special, said Mr. Phan Minh Tan, Director of the Department of Science and Technology yesterday.

"It is impossible to make conclusion right now because the collected data is too small. We have to make some more tests. The specific results may be released tomorrow, October 31,” Tan said.

Yesterday, October 30, officials and technical staff of the Center for Experiment and Analysis Services collected more air samples for analysis. "After analyzing the samples, we will have to consult scientists before submitting the results to the Department of Science and Technology," an officer said.

Excavating the fire pit on October 29, the authorities noted the pungent odor, suspected as sulfur and copper pieces, with temperature of around 50°C. According to images taken by Georadar equipment, which can check the geological position of 3-4 meters deep, below the road surface are power cables and water pipelines.

Many experts said that the incident is caused by the natural geological and marshy operation here, with the accumulation of organic substances. "After a period of time, these organic substances will release methane, carbon hydrogen... In favorable conditions, these gases will get out and can catch fire...," a geological expert said.

Some others said that the incident was caused by electric discharge from underground power cables.

The power company said that the power cables in this area had been operating well. However, the company said that the power cables may be affected because two months ago the water supply company dug up this road.

Mai Lan