Anxious... about fire and explosions!

Many tragic fires.

Although there haven't been any major fires causing multiple fatalities like the one in Cat Lai Ward, Thu Duc City (Ho Chi Minh City) on the morning of March 30th, or the fire on the morning of April 4th at house number 311 Ton Duc Thang Street, Hang Bo Ward, Dong Da District (Hanoi), recent fires in Nghe An province have raised concerns about fire prevention and control, especially in residential areas and buildings combining residential and commercial activities.

Still reeling from the fire that broke out at 12:21 PM on April 8th in the area behind the two-story house of Mr. LTH's family (in Dong Phong hamlet, Xuan Hoa commune, Nam Dan district), he said: At the time the fire started, his family was having dinner, and no one in the house noticed it until neighbors shouted for help.

The fire occurred at 12:21 PM on April 8th, in the area behind the two-story house of Mr. LTH's family in Dong Phong hamlet, Xuan Hoa commune (Nam Dan district). (Photo courtesy of Chu Minh)

The fire originated in an area used for cooking with a wood-burning stove and as a storage space, measuring approximately over 80 square meters.²Because it contained many flammable materials, the fire spread rapidly and was only discovered after rescue forces arrived.Fire ProtectionThe fire was only brought under control and prevented from spreading to surrounding houses thanks to the presence of firefighters. The initial cause has been determined to be negligence during cooking.

Besides residential fires, there have been quite a few fires in residential buildings used for both production and business purposes in the area recently. For example, at around 10 PM on February 9th, residents discovered a fire that quickly spread, engulfing an entire plastic goods business and spreading to the adjacent hair salon at house number 72, Sao Nam Street, Nghi Thu Ward (Cua Lo Town).

The fire broke out at approximately 10 PM on February 9th at a house selling plastic goods and spread to the adjacent hair salon at number 72, Sao Nam Street, Nghi Thu Ward (Cua Lo Town). (Photo courtesy of Van Lang)

Upon receiving the report, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of Nghe An province directed Fire Prevention and Rescue Team No. 2 to dispatch two fire trucks and 11 officers to the scene and deploy firefighting forces. Approximately 10 minutes after the firefighting force arrived, the fire was brought under control and extinguished, preventing it from spreading to the second floor and surrounding houses. Fortunately, two people inside the house managed to escape safely. Initial damage included a motorbike and many other belongings destroyed by the fire.

Prior to this, there were notable incidents such as the fire at 3:33 PM on April 4th at a pharmacy kiosk in Dien Xuan afternoon market (Dien Chau); and the fire at 2:28 AM on April 7th at a photocopy shop located at 87 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street (Vinh City)...

According to statistics from the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Department of the Provincial Police, from November 15, 2020 to April 15, 2021, there were 80 fires in the province, of which 25 occurred in residential houses, residential areas, and houses combined with production and business services.

Don't be complacent or negligent.

Through inspections and surveys conducted by the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of the Provincial Police, it was found that very few households in residential areas proactively installed complete fire prevention and control systems. Most households lacked fire extinguishers, making them vulnerable to fire spread and large-scale fires in the event of an incident, causing serious damage to both people and property.

In residential areas, houses are often designed and built in a narrow, cramped, tube-like style, lacking safe fire-fighting distances, alternative escape routes, and solutions to prevent the spread of fire. The absence of escape routes in the event of a fire has led to many fires, even small ones, causing significant loss of life.

In particular, it is more dangerous for residential houses that combine living and business activities, with a lot of furniture and goods placed close to electrical and heat sources, not to mention stacked in front. If a fire occurs, it will not only block escape routes but also increase the risk of the fire spreading faster, while also making it difficult for authorities to reach the scene in time to extinguish the fire and carry out rescue operations.

Recently, a fire broke out on the 3rd floor of Truong Thinh apartment building (Vinh City) due to a resident's carelessness in forgetting to turn off the stove.

According to fire department assessments, firefighting efforts in residential areas face numerous difficulties. This is due to the complex road network leading into these areas, with most roads being narrow and long, often obstructed by structures built spontaneously by residents, hindering access for firefighting vehicles. Furthermore, most residential areas, due to long-term planning or spontaneous development, lack fire hydrants, and those that do exist are not properly maintained, leading to damage.

Furthermore, local fire fighting forces, especially in residential areas far from city centers, towns, and townships, have not received regular professional training; fire fighting equipment is insufficient; and fire prevention and firefighting plans are limited, thus failing to respond promptly when fires or explosions occur. Nghe An is entering the hot season. The increased use of electricity and heat sources therefore poses a high risk of fire and explosions.

The Fire Prevention and Rescue Police of the Provincial Public Security Department organized fire safety training for the public. Photo: Fire Prevention and Rescue Police.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hanh, Deputy Head of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of Nghe An Provincial Police: To strengthen fire safety measures and minimize the number of incidents and damage caused by fires and explosions, at the online conference on fire prevention and control in the new situation organized by the Ministry of Public Security on the morning of April 15th, the Ministry's leaders also launched a nationwide campaign, and specifically in Nghe An province, to promote and inspect fire safety in residential areas, households, and buildings combining production and business activities.

To ensure fire safety and rescue operations in residential areas and family homes, and to prepare forces, equipment, and plans for timely and effective firefighting, households should note that flammable items and goods should not be kept near cooking areas. Cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles and equipment containing gasoline, oil, or flammable liquids stored inside the house must be kept far away from cooking stoves and heat sources.

Automatic circuit breakers (Aptomat) must be installed for the entire house's electrical system, each floor, each branch, and each high-power electrical appliance. Before leaving the house and before going to bed, check cooking areas and places of worship, and turn off unnecessary electrical appliances. Do not install iron cages or wire mesh on the balconies of high-rise buildings. If installed, there must be doors that can be opened when needed. Prepare ladders and rope ladders for escape in case of fire. In addition, each family should anticipate escape scenarios in case of fire and be proficient in using the fire-fighting equipment provided.

Based on the advice given by the Provincial People's Committee in issuing guiding documents, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hanh issued the following recommendations.

However, the most important thing is that every citizen needs to raise their awareness and voluntarily comply with fire prevention and control regulations, as well as develop skills in handling fire incidents. In reality, if people still underestimate or do not pay enough attention to fire prevention and control, the risk of fires will always remain.