Authorities are investigating a blaze that engulfed a parking lot, leaving hundreds of vehicles burned to their frames.
Authorities have confirmed that a massive blaze near the foot of Vinh Tuy Bridge in Hong Ha Ward, Hanoi, destroyed hundreds of vehicles, including motorbikes and homemade three-wheelers, leaving only their charred frames. Several bridge pillars also showed signs of damage.
As of 2:00 PM the same day, the fire beneath the Vinh Tuy Bridge had been extinguished by the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of Hanoi.At the scene, it was estimated that hundreds of vehicles were completely incinerated. The motorbikes and three-wheelers were parked in five tightly packed rows stretching approximately 100 meters.The intense heat from the blaze caused the corrugated iron fencing around the parking lot to collapse, while the bridge supports were stained with thick black smoke.Notably, some bridge pillars showed signs of concrete spalling, revealing the inner steel framework.Initial reports state that the fire broke out at around 12:15 PM on August 30 in a vehicle parking area near the foot of the bridge.Witnesses described seeing thick black smoke and a strong burning smell rising rapidly from the area near Vinh Tuy Bridge and the Hanoi Port.“The black smoke billowed quickly and reeked of burning rubber and fuel. Many people crossing the bridge were startled and stopped to see what was happening,” one eyewitness reported.Another witness shared that, from the vantage point on Vinh Tuy Bridge, flames could be seen engulfing many cars and motorbikes in the parking lot below. The area houses numerous warehouses and parked vehicles, exacerbating the fire’s intensity. Upon receiving the alert, Hanoi’s Police Command Center dispatched fire and rescue units to the scene to contain and extinguish the blaze. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.