Whilst most of businesses closed for the Tet Festival, giving their employees days off, other people spent their holiday serving the community. That’s just what firefighters do.

Firefighters were seen tackling the blaze at a resurant in Hai Chau District on the third day of Tet

When visiting the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Team under the Hai Chau District Police Division on the third day of Tet, we saw that the working atmosphere on the Tet holiday was no different from any other working day.

For the team’s firefighters, Tet was always a very special memory. They were side by side with their comrades to fight with ‘fire enemies’ to protect the peace of life for local residents.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran The Duc, Deputy Captain of the Hai Chau District’s Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Team, said that there was a high risk of fire and explosion in residential areas before and during Tet due to the regular burning of incense and votive papers to make offerings to ancestors.

“Just a little human carelessness can cause a big fire. Therefore, all firefighters are fully aware of the highest concentration of work, and the firefighting equipment is always ready for any possible incidents”, noted he.

While chatting with us, firefighters received a call about a fire at the Dana Buffer Restaurant at 65 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Hai Chau 1 Ward, Hai Chau District. Lt Col Duc and some firefighters quickly went to the scene to do their duty.

Ear-splitting sirened blare as large red trucks sped through the streets to where a thick, ominous cloud of smoke billows.

Thanks to the great efforts by the firefighters, the blaze was completely extinguished after 30 minutes with no serious damage reported.

That is just one of the feats of firefighters during the Tet holiday.

Major Hoang Quoc Hai, Captain of Thanh Khe District's Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Team, said that on the morning of the second day of Tet, his team rescued 10 people trapped inside an elevator at the Da Nang Supermarket Market One Member Limited Liability Company, at 46 Dien Bien Phu Street, Chinh Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District, as well as stamped out a fire that occurred at a mechanical processing workshop at 615 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District.

Every year, firefighters do not have a complete Tet. It's hard work, but with the spirit of ‘For the people to serve’, they are not afraid of difficulties, rushing into the fire to save lives and property for the people.

Through the stories of firefighters on Tet holiday, we understand more about the silent sacrifices that each firefighter is facing and experiencing.

Reporting by VIET THANH – Translating by M.DUNG