Vientiane's marketplace blaze under control

The fire that consumed Lao capital Vientiane's biggest marketplace Thong Khan Kham appears to be under control as firefighters continued to extinguish the blaze, Xinhua reporters judge from the scene at 11:40 p.m. local time.

One shopkeeper, who operates a curtain shop on the street outside Thong Khan Kham told Xinhua that the fire broke out from a corner of the marketplace before spreading quickly around 7:40 p.m. .

The fire knocked out power for surrounding areas while locals evacuated nearby places.

The shopkeeper believed that not many people were injured in the blaze as the market closed just over an hour earlier at 6:30 p. m. But it is still unknown about the number of injuries as ambulances came to rescue the area too.

Earlier, Xinhua reporters have witnessed shopkeepers braving the extreme heat to rescue their goods as the fire continues to engulf the area. The streets are filled with frantic people making it difficult for fire trucks to navigate the area.

Thong Khan Kham is one of Vientiane's most renowned marketplaces and sells everything from fresh produce to baskets, clothing and tools.