Car Catches Fire in Takashimaya Shopping Mall Parking Garage in Downtown Ho Chi Minh City

A car caught fire inside the underground parking lot of the Takashimaya Shopping Mall—one of downtown Ho Chi Minh City’s busiest commercial centers—on Monday afternoon. The blaze was quickly extinguished thanks to the building’s automatic fire response system and on-site security staff.

Fire Breaks Out in Basement Parking of Saigon Centre

At around 4:00 p.m., security guards at Takashimaya, located on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, noticed smoke rising from the B4 parking level of the Saigon Centre complex. The fire was traced to a BMW sedan parked near an elevator bay.

Automatic fire alarms and sprinkler systems were activated immediately. Building security personnel swiftly responded using CO₂ extinguishers and dry chemical fire suppressants, managing to control the flames within minutes.

Authorities from Saigon Ward Police and the District 1 Fire and Rescue Unit arrived soon after, confirming that the fire had been fully contained before spreading to other vehicles nearby.

“The incident was handled in accordance with proper fire safety protocols. No one was injured and surrounding cars were not damaged,” said a representative from Saigon Centre’s management.

Quick Response Prevents Major Damage

At the time of the incident, the underground garage was busy, with several vehicles parked nearby. Responders used specialized lifting equipment to move two cars away from the burning vehicle, preventing the fire from spreading.

Fifteen building staff members worked together to put out the blaze using extinguishers, sand, and water hoses. Within five minutes, the flames were fully extinguished.

Investigation Underway

Police confirmed that the fire originated from a gasoline-powered BMW. The car owner stated that the vehicle had recently undergone maintenance. The management team provided CCTV footage and reports to assist the insurance company and fire investigators in determining the exact cause.

No Casualties Reported

Thanks to a well-coordinated emergency response, no injuries were reported and operations at Takashimaya resumed shortly after the incident.

Fire safety authorities in Ho Chi Minh City are continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze, emphasizing the importance of strict fire prevention protocols in commercial buildings.