According to Lao Dong, on many central streets of Ho Chi Minh City such as Tran Hung Dao, Ba Thang Hai, ... a series of townhouses combined with business are being covered with large iron frames and billboards, covering the frontage, obscuring the escape route, posing a potential risk of fire spreading and obstructing rescue forces when an incident occurs.
According to people's feedback, many houses are close to the walls, with three sides of the common wall, leaving only one exit, the main door. When the advertising sign with the iron frame and roof covers the entire facade, there are almost no windows, sidewalks, balconies or other escape routes. In emergency situations, residents are easily stuck and cannot escape.
Mr. Le Trung Hau (Trung My Tay ward, Ho Chi Minh City) said that he often saw many houses combined with business in the central area covered with advertising signs and "tiger cages".
"The items that cover the escape routes in the townhouses have existed for years. Meanwhile, with a three-sided design adjacent to a wall, there is only one walkway on the ground floor, just a fire or an unexpected incident, people inside have almost no way to escape," Mr. Hau expressed his opinion.
Sharing the same concern, Mr. Nguyen Hong Khoa (Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) shared that in the past, the situation of expanding, especially at restaurants to hang signs, was quite common, but now this situation still exists but has decreased.
"Advertisers are still tangled with electric wires and light wires, increasing the risk of fire spreading. I think each household needs to proactively equip themselves with fire prevention and fighting equipment (PCCC) and hope that the authorities will regularly organize training courses on fire prevention and escape skills, especially for young children, said Mr. Khoa.
Recently, Ho Chi Minh City has recorded many particularly serious fires in houses and houses combined with business. Most recently, on the morning of December 5, a fire broke out at the snail Noodle - snail hotpot restaurant on Tran Hung Dao Street (Cau Ong Lanh Ward), killing 4 people and injuring 2 others. According to the authorities, most of the victims were trapped inside due to lack of early warning and the house had no second escape route, making escape almost impossible when smoke was everywhere.
To prevent fires that cause particularly serious consequences, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department (PC07) - Ho Chi Minh City Police requested households, renters and accommodation establishments to urgently review and supplement safety equipment. In particular, it is necessary to prioritize the installation of fire alarm heads, hand-carried fire extinguishers, toxic masks, folding wire and demolition tools for use in emergencies.
PC07 emphasized that people absolutely should not install "tiger cages", not cover the balcony or cover the facade with advertising materials. multi-storey buildings must ensure that the entrance to the roof is always airy, the door is open or the key is placed in an easy-to-reach location, helping to create more escape routes when an incident occurs.
