The HCM City Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Division reported that the city saw 498 fires in 2023, causing 11 fatalities, 13 injuries, and total damage valued at over VND 8 billion.
The figures represented a fall of 137 fires and two injuries but a rise of two fatalities compared to 2022.
"Most of the fires were caused by electricity short circuits and occurred at private houses which were also used as shops and storage," the report said. Thu Duc District reported the largest number of fires with 74.
According to the report, they received and dealt with 650,000 phone calls for fire rescue last year, saved 157 people and gave instructions to over 300 others to escape from the fires.
The agency also conducted fire safety checks at 1.60 million houses and successfully asked the owners of 1.30 million buildings to create a fire exit.