A serious fire that occurred on Le Van Sy street in HCM City’s District 3 killed six people and injured five last December (Source: VNA)Le Tan Buu, director of the city’s Fire FightingDepartment, said at a recent meeting that nearly 2 million households,including more than 300,000 home-run businesses, faced high risk of fire.
Most houses in the city were built before 1975,while many households do not comply with fire safety regulations.
The firefighting department said that promotingfire prevention in household businesses was difficult.
Electricity problems cause 70 percent of firesin the city, the department said.
Tran Thanh Chau, deputy director of thedepartment, said that residents’ lack of awareness of fire prevention and therisks they face contributed to the problem.
Violations of regulations on the use ofelectricity and electrical equipment as well as poor electric wiring were otherfire risks.
In addition, flammable goods stored on groundfloors and in corridors as well as blocking hallways and exits posed risks.
Many houses are located in small and deep alleyswhich are difficult for firefighting forces to access.
Huynh Cach Mang, deputy chairman of the city’sPeople’s Committee, said district authorities should work with local agenciesto inspect fire safety in all households and house-run businesses and takemeasures to reduce fire risks.
The city’s electricity sector should also offersupport to maintain the power system.
The water supply sector, he said, shouldprioritise installing fire hydrants in residential areas and near house-runbusinesses.
The city’s firefighters should use also usemini-equipment and trucks that can access small alleys.
Do Phi Hung, deputy director of the city’sConstruction Department, said that local authorities should relocate house-runbusiness at high risk of fire out of residential areas and crack down onviolators who use advertising signs inappropriately.
Doan Viet Manh, head of the Ministry of PublicSecurity’s Fire and Rescue Police Department, said the department wouldcollaborate with local fire-fighting forces to review fire-fighting regulationsand ask the State for adjustments if necessary.
According to the city’s Department of FireFighting, in the first quarter of the year, there were 280 fires that killed 13people and injured 17, causing a total of 871 billion VND (38.3 million USD) inproperty damage.
Of the figure, 132 fires occurred in householdsand home-based businesses, leaving 12 people dead and 11 injured, and causingtotal damages of 475 billion VND (21 million USD).-VNA
VNA
