Hotpot restaurant explosion in Nghe An causes 10 billion VND in damage

On April 16, Mr. Nguyen Tam Ky - Chairman of the People's Committee of Le Mao Ward (Vinh City) said that the authorities have officially concluded on the total damage as well as the cause of the explosion at the BBQ hot pot restaurant nearly a month ago.

“The explosion caused 10 billion VND in damage. Including the 3-storey building and surrounding households,” said Mr. Ky.

The three-story building was devastated after the explosion. Photo: Tien Hung

The cause of the explosion was determined to be that the restaurant staff forgot to turn off the main valve of the industrial gas cylinder system located in a closed room, leading to a gas leak. At 0:30 on March 20, there may have been an electrical short circuit in this room, sparking the explosion.

Investigators also said there were no signs of criminality in this explosion.

Glass shattered after the explosion. Photo: Tien Hung

According to Colonel Le Quoc Bao - Deputy Director of Nghe An Fire Police, in the first 4 months of 2018, in Nghe An province, there were 39 fires, 1 explosion, causing property damage of over 14 billion VND, affecting social life, especially as the hot dry season is approaching.

Many houses living 100 meters from the scene were also affected. Photo: Tien Hung

Previously, in the early morning of March 20, people in the center of Vinh City were awakened by a "bomb-like explosion" coming from a 3-story building that sells karaoke, hot pot, and grills at 5 Tran Phu Street.

Although there were no casualties, the explosion destroyed many parts of the building. Tempered glass and many materials were thrown hundreds of meters by the force. Many offices and houses within a radius of 100 meters were also affected by the vibration.