Da Nang authorities have issued a high alert in residential areas and traditional markets across the city about possible fire and explosion hazards as Central Viet Nam, including Da Nang, is experiencing a prolonged hot and dry spell.

Fire-fighting and rescue practice was held in a residential area in Tan Chinh Ward, Thanh Khe District on March 27.

The effects of accidental fires or explosions can be devastating in terms of lives lost, injuries, damage to property and the environment. The public across Da Nang need to be on high alert and ready for potential fires and explosions.

Data published by the Da Nang Police Department of Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue show that across Da Nang, there have been 25 fires in people's homes and 3 others in local forests from December 15, 2020 until now. Fortunately, there were no large fires and no fire-related deaths in the city during the period.

Electrical fires are common in residential settings in Da Nang. A failure or malfunction within the electrical components of equipment or machinery can cause electrical fires. The second category of fires is improper handling and storing flammable and combustible materials.

Fire risks in residential settings and traditional markets

There are many small houses hidden in deep narrow alleys and interlacing electric wires against the sky in these alleys. In case of a fire, people living in these small houses only get out the front door of their houses. Household fire extinguishers in these residential settings can expire as they left unused for far too long and the extinguisher tends to lose its ability to extinguish fires.

Colonel Nguyen Thanh Nam, Head of the Da Nang Police Department of Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue said main causes of home fires in the city include improper use and maintenance of heating appliances and electrical devices. In addition, cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires by far.

Residential fires have acounted for over 60 % of the city’s reported incidents over recent years, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Nam remarked.

Appropriate arrangements to prepare for accidents, incidents and emergencies are already put in place in traditional markets across Da Nang. However, some small markets have a high risk of fires and explosions in the hot weather.

Some market traders do not know how to use a fire extinguisher but still burn incense for luck in business although they know that strict punishment will be imposed on violations of fire safety. In addition, according to our observations in many traditional markets, accidental fires and explosions can occur in these places because of degraded power lines installed there.

Controlling fire and explosion risks in residential settings and traditional markets

The Da Nang Police Department of Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue said that accidental fires and explosions can occur anywhere. The majority of fires are the direct or indirect result of human activity, including carelessness.

The public across Da Nang need to be on high alert for fire and explosion hazards, and need to do to protect themselves from fire and explosion risks, said Colonel Nguyen Thanh Nam.

Reporting by Le Hung – Xuan Dung – Translating by H.L