Recent statistics released by the Da Nang Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department show that, in the first half of this year, 57 fires, including two forest fires, have occurred in the city. Of this, 23 have happened during extremely hot summer days lasting from 15 March - 15 May.

Police officers checking firefighting and prevention work at an apartment building in Son Tra District’s Nai Hien Dong Ward

Over a six-month period, the department has received reports about 106 fires caused by electrical products, either through misuse or faults. Luckily no human lives were lost but fires caused over 7 billion VND in property damage.

Most recently, a fire broke out at the Mien Trung (Central) motorized equipment JSC on Hoang Van Thai Street on 12 June.

Fire crews, plus some fire engines, from the Fire Fighting and Prevention Division in Lien Chieu District rushed to the scene several minutes after being alerted about the incident.

After two hours of firefighting, the fire was brought under control. Although there were no injuries in the incident, many of the company's properties were destroyed, causing billions of VND in property damage.

According to the initial investigation, the cause of this fire is thought to be due to an electrical short circuit.

In fact, one of the most significant electrical wiring hazards in a workplace is the overloading of circuits due to old and outdated electrical wiring, sockets and appliances. To put it simply, circuits that were made 30 or 40, sometimes even just 20 years ago, were not built to handle things like smart devices and large printers. Because older wiring can often only be rated for lower amps than is required by many of the modern day appliances and business equipment today, overloading low amp wiring can potentially cause dangerous electrical fires.

In particular, traditional markets and supermarkets are one of the places with high risks of fires and explosion.

Fire and explosion can result in catastrophic consequences for people and property causing loss of life or serious injury and possible loss of business.

For this reason, traditional markets and supermarkets across city have been focusing on ensuring firefighting and prevention work.

Mr Hoang Cung Thuong Duc, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Han Market, said his unit has focused on increasing public awareness of fire safety and prevention measures. Also, a firefighting team has been set up with a total of 16 members. Besides, portable fire-fighting equipment is available at the market, and they are an effective early response to a developing fire.

In attempting to raise public awareness about fire safety and fire protection, dozens of training courses on fire fighting and prevention have been organised for 700 local residents so far this year. A total of 120,000 handbooks on fire prevention and fighting have been distributed to police officers citywide.

Recently, a warning about the risk of forest fires at alarming level 5, the highest level in the city, has been issued by the Da Nang Forest Protection Department, and wildfires will be possible to become more widespread and destructive as the prolonged heatwave continues to grip the city in coming week.

The Department has issued a ban on burning fires in forests in the city during the dry season. Forest rangers are required to strictly comply with Da Nang fire safety regulations.

By XUAN DUNG - Translated by M.D