Many auto and motorbike fires have taken place nationwide in recent months, particularly in Hanoi. Although the reasons have not yet been ascertained, substandard fuel has been the subject of suspicion. 

Dr. Dao Quoc Tuy, Head of the Hanoi University of Technology’s Department of Organic Synthesis and Petrochemical Technology told DTiNews that, “If gasoline is improperly blended with additives, such as acetone or methanol they could cause damage to engines and maybe even vehicle fires.”

He added that if the cause of these fires is bad fuel, there must have been a large influx of sub-par product dumped into the market. 

Thi Hong Xuan, from the Engineering and Technology Department of Ho Chi Minh City Agriculture and Forestry University, told Tuoi Tre that gasoline that was mixed with ethanol or methanol might to blame for the fires.

Recently, up to 11 petroleum businesses  in Ho Chi Minh City had their operation licenses revoked due to sales of bad quality petrol. Also, since the fires do not seem to be focused on one type of vehicle, it increases the possibility that fuel has been the problem. 

Tran Minh Dung, Chief Inspectorate of the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that the test results on petroleum samples will be announced before Tet, adding that the investigative agency will expand testing in 2012.

In 2011, there were 89 cases of vehicle fires, including 50 auto-related cases and 30 motorbike-related cases. These incidents caused two deaths and two injuries.

In the first three weeks of 2011, Hanoi saw at least 42 motorbike and automobile fires.