Dismantle the "tiger cages," open the "escape doors."
On the morning of July 9th, the early sunlight filtered through the rusted iron bars of the Doc Lap residential complex ( Phu Tho Hoa ward, Ho Chi Minh City). The clicking sound of metal echoed through the corridors, once crammed with illegally extended buildings. No one said it aloud, but everyone understood that those iron frames, once a "safety cage" for countless families, had now become a "death cage" in the face of fire.
Fire and rescue police officers conduct fire safety awareness campaigns for residents of an apartment building in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: CAM TUYET
The apartment of Ms. Huynh Thi Kim Xuyen's family was just a few steps away from the two apartments that were completely destroyed in the fire on the night of June 6-7. Her family watched intently as sparks flew from the cutting machine, their eyes heavy with sorrow. Nearby, Ms. Tran Thi Kim Trong stood dejectedly on the porch, her gaze fixed on Ms. Xuyen's apartment as she dismantled the makeshift "tiger cage" (a slang term for a makeshift window).
“In the past, many residents here built ‘tiger cages’ to protect against theft, but now we can’t keep them anymore. Human lives are the most important,” Mrs. Trong said. Although not directly affected, the images of the stretchers and the cries of anguish that night still haunt the dreams of this elderly woman.
The Independence Housing Complex was built many years ago, following the model of old housing complexes with common corridors and numerous emergency exits. However, over time, these passageways have been narrowed by unauthorized structures ("tiger cages," even warehouses, parking spaces, kitchens, etc.) for "a little convenience" and "a little peace of mind."
Faced with this alarming situation, in recent days, all 33 regional teams of the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City Police have simultaneously launched operations, coordinating with the authorities of 168 wards, communes, and special zones to carry out propaganda and mobilization work to encourage people to dismantle "tiger cages" in old apartment buildings and housing complexes, creating a second escape route.
Strict action will be taken against violations in apartment buildings that do not meet safety standards.
Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued a directive instructing departments, agencies, and local authorities to strengthen inspections and rectify the management and operation of apartment buildings, especially ensuring fire safety and rescue. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee assigned the People's Committees of communes, wards, and special zones to coordinate with the Fire Police force to inspect and strictly handle violations in unsafe apartment buildings; organize propaganda and mobilize residents and apartment building management boards to dismantle illegal structures that encroach on escape routes, detract from urban aesthetics, and compromise fire safety. The units are required to report the results to the Department of Construction before August 10th.
Since the beginning of the year, Ho Chi Minh City has coordinated with the police force and local authorities to organize 270 training courses, with approximately 79,571 participants. In addition, the Ho Chi Minh City Police have conducted 1,488 inspections, issued 1,408 violation reports, and imposed administrative fines totaling over 500 million VND for fire safety violations.
In Binh Quoi ward, nine task forces were established to go directly to each household to disseminate information, provide guidance on escape skills, and introduce fire safety models.
Directly involved in the mobilization efforts, Mr. Mai Quang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Quoi Ward, along with the Fire Prevention and Rescue Force, went to each house to explain the dangers of "tiger cages" (or "tiger cages"). He also informed that there are 23 apartment buildings in the area, with approximately 1,000 households having installed these "tiger cages." "We are striving to persuade 100% of households with installed 'tiger cages' to dismantle them to ensure the safety of themselves and their families," Mr. Mai Quang said.
After being persuaded, many households, including the family of Ms. Le Thuy Linh, living in Thanh Da residential area, agreed to dismantle their "tiger cages." More than 10 years ago, Ms. Linh hired workers to install iron railings on her balcony to prevent theft. "Recently, there have been many fires, especially the fire in Doc Lap residential area, which has made everyone scared, so my family immediately dismantled them," Ms. Linh said.
At the 518 Vo Van Kiet apartment building (Cau Ong Lanh ward), the Fire and Rescue Team of Area 1 also went to each house to educate and encourage residents to dismantle the "tiger cages" (exposed metal bars) to ensure fire safety. This apartment building was constructed nearly 30 years ago. Of the more than 100 households living there, the majority of apartments have "tiger cages" installed. Mr. Cao Son Ha, a resident of the apartment building, said: "Through the awareness campaign, people have become more aware of the risks caused by fires and the harm caused by not having proper escape routes."
Safety starts with small actions.
Balconies enclosed by iron cages, corners of corridors turned into makeshift storage areas, electrical wires braided like spiderwebs… these are familiar sights in hundreds of old apartment buildings across Ho Chi Minh City.
Donating fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment to residents of apartment building 518 Vo Van Kiet, Cau Ong Lanh ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: CAM TUYET
According to statistics, Ho Chi Minh City currently has 1,132 apartment buildings, including 239 apartment buildings and 341 blocks of buildings constructed before 1975. Ho Chi Minh City also has hundreds of other buildings constructed between 1975 and 2001. Among these, many pose potential fire safety risks.
According to Major General Nguyen Thanh Huong, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Police, one of the difficulties in managing, especially regarding fire prevention and control, in these old apartment buildings is the lack of maintenance funds and renovation budgets. “Developers or management boards do not have maintenance funds or fixed budgets to maintain, renovate, and repair the apartment buildings. Many residents are laborers with low incomes, so mobilizing contributions for repairs is very difficult,” Major General Nguyen Thanh Huong stated.
According to the Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Police, the most serious issue currently is the widespread illegal expansion and enclosing of buildings in old apartment complexes. Many residents arbitrarily expand their living space, increasing the risk of fire and hindering firefighting and rescue efforts. In recent times, the Ho Chi Minh City leadership has paid close attention to and directed fire prevention and control efforts, issuing numerous directives and regulations related to fire safety in apartment buildings, yet this situation persists.
The Ho Chi Minh City Police Department advises citizens to understand the causes of fires in order to better manage heat sources, open flames, and flammable materials in their daily lives. In particular, attention should be paid to illegal extensions and enclosures, as this is a serious issue that obstructs escape routes and increases the risk of fire spreading. People should have basic fire safety equipment readily available and clear escape routes at their homes and workplaces; special attention should be paid to flammable materials such as cobwebs, accumulated dust, and decorative pictures.
Ho Chi Minh City has invested significant resources in fire prevention and control. New fire trucks have been acquired; personnel have received specialized training, enabling faster and more professional responses; and equipment is becoming increasingly modern... However, if people remain indifferent to their own safety and that of their families, remain unconcerned about overloaded electrical wires in bedrooms and kitchens, and consider locked escape routes as normal... then all efforts will be too late when an incident occurs.
At the same time, for fire prevention to truly become ingrained in daily life, it needs to start with simple actions, consistently repeated every day. One July afternoon, in the small alley at 803 Huynh Tan Phat Street, police officers from Phu Thuan Ward gently knocked on the doors of each rented room, handing out leaflets and talking to residents about fire safety: “Fire prevention is not just anyone's responsibility, not a short-term campaign, but a habit we need to build in our daily lives. And that culture needs to start with small actions every day. Just turning off electrical appliances before leaving home, checking the kitchen... is enough to prevent the risk of fire, electrical short circuits, and maintain safety and peace for each home.”
National Assembly representative TO THI BICH CHAU, former Vice Chairperson of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in Ho Chi Minh City:
Closely monitor new construction or home renovation projects.
I believe it's necessary to clearly define the level and risk of fire and explosions in apartment buildings and residential areas, publicly and transparently publishing a list of high-risk locations. Many apartments, houses, and lodging areas are enclosed like "tiger cages," posing an extremely dangerous risk in the event of a fire or explosion. Dismantling these structures needs careful consideration based on the architectural design of each unit, avoiding any impact on the overall safety of the building. The safety of residents' lives must be the top priority in all decisions.
During the implementation of these solutions, it is necessary to provide sufficient time for people to carry out repairs and dismantle unsafe structures, especially in the context of Ho Chi Minh City's campaign to encourage people to remove "tiger cages" - iron cage structures that enclose balconies or windows, obstructing escape routes in case of fire.
Furthermore, relevant authorities and local governments need to intensify fire prevention and control awareness campaigns to improve public understanding and foster a sense of self-discipline. When people are equipped with knowledge, regularly reminded, and understand the dangers, they will gradually develop safe living habits, thereby contributing to building a responsible and proactive urban living culture regarding fire safety.
Simultaneously, it is necessary to strengthen supervision from the outset for new construction, renovation, or repair of houses, dormitories, etc., to ensure that the initial design fully complies with fire safety regulations. Only when fire safety becomes a constant awareness in the community can we minimize the unfortunate consequences caused by fires and explosions.
CIVILIZED take note
CAM TUYET - THU HOAI
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/bien-phong-chay-thanh-thoi-quen-post803906.html
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