Some witnesses said that at 9:30pm, several passers-by on the National Highway 1A saw plumes of black smoke billowing from the automobile shop in Tan Thoi Hiep ward, district 12.
Nearby residents used extinguishers to tackle the blaze but failed to put out it as the entry way to the shop was closed off with a security shutter. The shop was quickly engulfed in flames while the blaze spread to neighbouring areas.
After the alarm was raised, dozens of firefighters and fire engines were mobilized to the scene to extinguish the fire, which was brought under control within 30 minutes.
No fatalities were reported but most assets and property inside the shop were completely destroyed by the blaze.
