The scene of the forest fire in the mountainous province of Điện Biên’s Noong Luống Commune on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Phan Tuấn Anh

ĐIỆN BIÊN — A forest fire broke out in the northern mountainous province of Điện Biên’s Noong Luống Commune on Tuesday, threatening hundreds of people living nearby.

The fire broke out at 7.30pm. Hundreds of firefighters, soldiers and community members were mobilised to stamp out the fire. 

Lò Thị Trang Chuyên, resident in Noong Luống Commune said the fire spread quickly to residential areas and her family as well as others had to evacuate.

Nguyễn Hữu Khởi, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said high temperatures and strong winds helped the fire spread.

The committee asked soldiers and local people in the neighbouring communes of Thanh Chăn and Pa Thơm to help put out the fire. Four fire trucks were sent to the scene.

The fire was stamped out by 11pm.

The forest is under the management of the community in Noong Luống Commune’s Team 15.— VNS