Fire prevention and fighting: "Don't wait until the cow is gone to build a barn"

The explosion at a restaurant in Vinh City left many people living nearby shocked. Photo: Tien Hung

Up to now, the people in the surrounding area are still in shock because the destructive power of the explosion destroyed the entire two-story house and affected the houses on the other side of the street. Fortunately, the explosion happened at a time when there were no customers coming in or out of the restaurant and the authorities were on the scene in time to minimize the property damage. If the explosion had happened during rush hour, when there were a lot of customers and passersby on Highway 1A right next to this restaurant, it is unknown how terrible the consequences would have been!

In fact, most restaurants often use industrial gas cylinders for cooking, but the safety of fire and explosion prevention is very sketchy. They can connect many gas cylinders together to lead to the kitchen area. And just a small mistake, gas leakage can cause a fire and explosion accident, like the case that just happened at a restaurant in Vinh City.

Industrial gas cylinders are removed from the restaurant after the explosion. Photo: Tien Hung

Previously, according to the report of the Provincial Steering Committee for Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue, in 2017, Nghe An had 64 fires, causing property damage of about 18 billion VND; there was 1 explosion that led to a fire, causing property damage of about 3 billion VND. Also in 2017, the authorities inspected fire prevention and fighting work at nearly 7,000 establishments and vehicles, made 697 administrative violation records, imposed fines, and paid nearly 1 billion VND to the state budget.

However, many business owners still show that they are “deaf to guns” and are negligent in fire prevention and fighting. With the naked eye, we can also see violations of fire prevention and fighting at these conditional business establishments, but those responsible are indifferent, or just inspect and punish “for show”.

Remember, right after the fire at a karaoke bar in Hanoi in late 2016, killing 13 people, the authorities at all levels and relevant agencies issued many documents on fire prevention and fighting and directed the immediate inspection and handling of karaoke businesses that did not ensure safety conditions, but up to now, in Nghe An, many karaoke bars violating fire prevention and fighting regulations still blatantly exist.

Fire at karaoke bar in Hanoi kills 13 people Photo: Internet

Recently, in the Directive Document of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee on "ensuring fire prevention and fighting safety in 2018" also clearly stated that "The risk of fire and explosion still has many complex and unpredictable factors; large fires occur, especially fires and explosions in residential areas, households, markets, industrial parks... causing many injuries, causing great damage to property, affecting security and order, production and business activities, investment environment and people's lives".

“The above situation has many causes, but mainly due to: some heads of agencies, organizations, businesses, householders and people do not fully understand the position, role and importance of fire prevention and fighting work.... State management of fire prevention and fighting, in some places and at some times, is still lax...”.

The hot season is approaching, the potential risk of fire and explosion is even higher, all levels, sectors, units, localities, and functional forces need to promote propaganda on fire and explosion prevention and control in a specific and effective manner, following the motto "4 on-site"; at the same time, strictly punish, even "close" establishments that violate fire and explosion prevention and control, to avoid unfortunate consequences, to avoid the situation of "closing the barn door after the cow has been stolen" which is too late!