On the morning of July 12, the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department (PCCC) and Rescue Police (CNCH) PC07 - Ho Chi Minh City Police coordinated with the People's Committees of wards and communes in the city to simultaneously launch a campaign to mobilize people to dismantle iron cages - "tiger cages" - and open a second escape route in apartments, houses, and high-rise apartments.
This is one of the urgent solutions to strengthen fire prevention and fighting, minimize damage to people and property when a fire occurs, especially after a serious fire at Doc Lap residence (old Tan Phu district) that killed 8 people.
Recorded at apartment building 518 Vo Van Kiet street (Cau Ong Lanh ward, Ho Chi Minh City), many households have agreed to dismantle "tiger cages". Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Que, a resident of the apartment building, said that her family used to install iron cages to ensure the safety of young children and prevent theft. However, after the recent heartbreaking fires, she realized that it was a "dead trap" and would proactively hire dismantlers.
"After the propaganda and mobilization session, my family and I gained more knowledge about fire prevention and fighting as well as escape skills when an accident or accident occurs. The dismantling of the iron cages should also be done, so that if something happened, we can escape," Ms. Que shared.
On the launching day, PC07 forces and local authorities directly visited each household to mobilize the removal of the iron cages. At the same time, the authorities also disseminate legal knowledge about fire prevention and fighting, raising awareness of fire and explosion prevention to people in many forms; instruct them to install the "Help 114" application, register to follow official information channels such as Zalo, Fanpage, YouTube of PC07.
People are also encouraged to equip themselves with handheld fire extinguishers and rudimentary demolition tools at home; build and participate in models such as "PCCC Safety Joint Venture Group", "P public Fire Fighting Point" and the program "My House 3 There" (with fire extinguishers, escape routes, PCCC skills).
Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nhat Thanh - Deputy Captain of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Team of Area 1, Ho Chi Minh City Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department said that most of the old apartment buildings in the city, especially those built before 2001 (when the Fire Prevention and Rescue Law officially took effect) are now degraded and not fully equipped with modern fire prevention and fighting systems.
Many places do not have automatic fire alarm systems, nor do they have a fire-fighting water supply system for walls. In the event of a fire, the initial ability to detect and extinguish the fire is very limited, Lieutenant Colonel Thanh warned.
The situation of people arbitrarily expanding and installing iron cages, also known as "tiger cages" on public balconies to prevent theft, further increases the risk of unsafety. When a fire occurs, the escape route is blocked, making it difficult for people in the house to escape or for rescue forces to access from the outside.
Following the direction of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, households with iron cages at the balcony are required to commit to dismantling and completing before August 15. The local government will coordinate with the Party Committee and People's Committee of the ward to support the demolition, ensuring safety and no costs for the people.
