Traders affected by market fire want compensation

Several traders who have been affected by the fire that gutted Quang Ngai Market on Feb. 9 want to sue Quang Ngai Agricultural Product Join-stock Company, the market’s managing company, for compensation.

“We paid managing fees to buy fire fighting equipment, which was completely useless in fighting this fire,” explained Nguyen Thi Ti, whose shop was ravaged by the fire.

Earlier on February 11, each affected trader received VND 9million (US$431) from the market managing company and VND5 million ($239) from the local government.

“We aren’t happy with this amount,” Ti said. “It’s too small compared to the massive damages and losses we’re suffering.”

Local authorities are calling for donations to help the affected traders. By Feb 11, several organizations and individuals had pledged to donate more than VND4.7 billion ($225,000) for this purpose.

The aftermath of an inferno

After the violent fire, some cracks have appeared on the walls and some pillars are likely to collapse. The local government has thus decided to pull them down for public safety.

Cao Khoa, chairman of Quang Ngai’s People Committee, told VnExpress Newswire that he had instructed relevant agencies to hire a construction contractor to carry out the demolition as soon as possible.

A temporary site covering 7,000 sq.m is being built for traders to resume working in a month and a half.

Vo Van Thuong, the provincial Party Committee secretary, said local authorities were considering providing tax exemption for the traders and paying tuition fees for their children to help them deal with the losses.

Investigators have finished examining the scene and will soon submit an official report to the province’s authorities.

After the fire, many traders have tried to find their remaining valuables in the rubbles and some fortunately found some gold, cash and damaged banknotes.

Bui Thi Mai trying to search for valuables through the rubbles. Photo by Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Tat Huynh, deputy head of the Distribution Department at the State Bank, told Tuoi Tre that these banknotes would still be reimbursed.

The bank would charge 4 percent of the value of a damaged banknote at most, Huynh said.

At 5:15 am on February 9, a fire broke out at the eastern part of the market and then quickly destroyed the market, a witness said.

It was not until 4:00 pm that day that the fire was completely put out after 200 firefighters were mobilized to battle with it.