About 28 firefighters in four fire engines were sent to the fire on Phu Tan Street in the Tan Phu Ward at about 4am after witnesses reported hearing a large explosion followed by the building erupting into a massive ball of fire.
The fire has destroyed the building housing the store and pharmacy including all the inventory and severely impaired nearby structures with damages estimated at US$44,000 (VND1 billion).
Local police are appealing for more witnesses following the fire, which they are treating as suspicious.
