The Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday prompted firefighting and rescue police agencies in all provinces and cities across Vietnam to review and inspect the compliance with fire prevention and fighting regulations at apartment blocks and boarding houses following an apartment building inferno that killed 56 people in Hanoi on Tuesday.

Police in all 63 localities were told to consult local authorities in order to enhance fire safety enforcement in these buildings and sanction fire safety violators.

The central government has issued several guidelines on fire safety, but the compliance with fire prevention laws remains weak, leading to fire-related tragedies like the one that happened in Hanoi on Tuesday, said the ministry.

The ministry tasked local police officers with raising awareness of fire safety among landlords and residents, and equipping them with fire firefighting, prevention, and rescue skills via TV channels and social networks such as Zalo and Facebook.

According to the ministry’s order, it is necessary to conduct fire drills and train households to escape from a blaze, evacuate safely, and extinguish flames.

In addition, the ministry assigned the Police Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue to work with competent agencies under the Ministry of Construction to put forward measures to foster fire safety at apartment blocks and boarding houses so as to avoid deadly fires.

In another development, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued a fiat on inspections into fire safety at all boarding houses and apartment buildings citywide.

Buildings whose landlords violate fire safety will be shut down.

Local forces must complete their inspections prior to October 30 this year, according to the fiat.

The municipal administration asked every district and Thu Duc City to launch a campaign to guide residents on fire fighting and prevention measures and encourage households to equip their houses with tools and fire alarm systems, as well as open exits in order to save themselves if a fire breaks out.

A blaze erupted at 11:50 pm on Tuesday at an apartment block on Khuong Ha Street in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, leaving 56 people dead.

The building, with an area of some 200 square meters, houses around 150 people.

Police on Wednesday detained and filed charges against Nghiem Quang Minh, 44, residing in Cau Giay District, Hanoi, the owner of the apartment block, over alleged violations of fire prevention and fighting regulations.

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