Ho Chi Minh City buildings remain exposed to fire hazard

March 29, 2018 | 11:45
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Damaged firefighting equipment, occupied corridors, and blocked emergency exits were found in many old residential areas in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.
ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
The authorities are removing hazardous electric wires from the basement of an old building

After the fire in Carina Plaza (District 8), Ho Chi Minh City authorities tightened inspections at all buildings to prevent another tragedy.

ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
A family in Nguyen Thi Nghia residential building is living with fire-prevention equipment. Their belongings and parking vehicles are blocking the building's entrance
ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
Doan Ngoc Hai, Deputy Chairman of District 1 People's Committee requested the authorities to remove plastic and fabric items of fire hazard from the ground floor of Nguyen Thi Nghia building
ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
The narrow corridor is full of resident's' belongings
ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
District 1's urban authorities are removing plastic and wooden items from the stairs in the Ly Tu Trong residential building
ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
District 1 authorities fined and relocated an art gallery for occupying the Ly Tu Trong building's exit
ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
A boy is playing with the fire hose cabinet at the residential building at 145 Nguyen Trai
ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
A fire hose cabinet used as a garbage can

"The damaged fire equipment has not been repaired due to high costs, and the basement is clogged up with vehicles. People have many times tried calling the attention of the authorities to the issue, but it has not been resolved," said 51-year-old Tran Thi Nga, a resident of the building on Nguyen Trai Street.

ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
A fire hose cabinet blocked by residents' belongings
ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
40 damaged, expired or used fire extinguishers from the Bui Vien residential area

"Many people here do not want to replace expired and used fire extinguishers, even after the Carine Plaza fire. I tried convincing them many times to remove the old and damaged fire equipment," said a member of Bui Vien residential building's management board.

ho chi minh city buildings remain exposed to fire hazard
The announcement of a fire drill at the Bui Vien residential building's ground floor

On March 27, people in the Bui Vien residential building tested the fire alarms and discovered they did not work and had to hire repairmen. Since the afternoon, the fire alarm system in the building was fully operational.

By Van Anh

Vnexpress

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