It is easy to see houses and apartments with barricaded balconies in Hanoi such as apartment buildings in Kim Liem and Thanh Cong areas in Dong Da District.
The so-called Tiger Cage or Bird’s Nest balconies create extra living space for houses. But in case of fires, they prevent firefighter access.
Some people said that they use barricaded balconies for safety or security.
The houses at Thanh Cong residential area
Balconies are even enclosed entirely by houses.
Firefighters have to cut the iron cages to gain access which is time-consuming and especially dangerous in emergencies when fires occur in apartment buildings or houses with caged balconies.
On May 13, a tragic fire occurred at a house with a caged balcony in Ha Dong District, killing a grandmother and her grandchildren.
