Several serious fires recently have placed the spotlight on the fire department and the implementation of fire safety law.
At around 1:30pm on June 3, a huge fire broke out at a petrol station near Military Hospital 108 in Hanoi. Nine fire fighters and three petrol station workers were hospitalised. The fire was only put out five hours later, and caused VND6-7 billion (USD287,000-335,000) in damages.
A fire broke out at the petrol station
In September, hundreds of traders in stalls at Hai Duong Trade Centre blamed the slow response to a fire of firefighters for losses estimated to have been VND500 billion. According to the traders, the fire started at 1am on September 15 but two hours passed before the firefighters arrived. They brought two engines, but one ran out of water and the other had technical problems. All of the traders raised questions about the location of the centre’s security guards when the fire broke out and what caused the delay of the firefighters' arrival.
Police examine the scene at Hai Duong Trade Centre
In addition, a small fire broke out at the Fuse Bar in Hanoi causing serious damage on November 19. Two of the 10 welders were found dead on the site, while four others died at Central Military Hospital 108. About 11 others were injured, including a number of firefighters who suffocated. The fire was caused by the welders who decided to work around flammable objects.
Fire at Fuse Bar
In response, the NA has passed an amended Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting on November 22 in order to tighten regulations. The law stated that heads of the Department of Fire Prevention and Fighting must ensure that all the equipment is good condition. They are also required to be present at the scene to direct the firefighting activities.
It also requires markets and trade centres to have separate power lines for business and for fire safety purposes. Communal authorities and managers of residential areas are required to work with firefighters in order to create safe escape plans.
All new constructions will also also requested to include fire protection systems in the plan
