On September 2, a blogger from mainland China posted a video claiming that on August 30, a major fire broke out at the Daoli Vegetable Market in Harbin. The blogger described the fire as “very serious, with a large section of the exterior wall burned,” and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
After the incident, the Daoli Vegetable Market and surrounding commercial areas have temporarily ceased operations. The blogger commented in the video section, “It is expected to be closed for at least a month! Maybe even longer, considering the seriousness of the fire, as it burned a large area!”
The blogger speculated that the fire may have been caused by aging of the building. Another online user commented in a different video section, saying, “My mom said the fourth floor had an electrical fire.”
Other users also expressed concerns, stating, “The fire safety measures in this market are clearly not up to standard! The density of businesses, all the electrical appliances, deep fryers, and the general disorderliness make it difficult for people to escape in case of a fire!”
According to a resident of Harbin who provided information to NTD, at the time of the fire, a large number of people gathered to watch and film the incident, with some uploading the videos online. However, the filming activities of the crowd were hindered by the police, and many videos that were uploaded were taken down on the same day.
The extent of casualties and property damage from the accident is currently unknown. Official sources only mention that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Some netizens expressed regret, saying, “It’s a pity, a popular spot for influencers.” Others made jokes, with one saying, “It’s almost time for the military parade, was this a warm-up act? Haha.”
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In summary, a fire at Harbin’s Daoli Vegetable Market has caused significant disruptions and concerns about safety standards. The investigation into the cause of the fire continues, as authorities work to assess the damage and any potential casualties. The incident also highlighted the challenges of managing crowd behavior during emergencies.