The first four months of 2012 saw 546 fires and explosions that left 23 dead and 42 injured, and caused total losses of VND128.5 billion, the police department for preventing and extinguishing fires reports.  



Many of these incidents occurred in residential areas, such as a gas explosion on April 7 that destroyed five boarding rooms and caused serious burns to 10 people in Binh Duong province, and a fire at a jewellery shop in Can Tho city which killed four family members.

Most of the fires, involving electricity, petrol and oil, gas, were caused by poor compliance with regulations on fire prevention by residents and manufacturers.

The police department for preventing and extinguishing fires recommends checking for and repairing any violations of fire prevention regulations, especially at high-rise buildings, markets, trade centres, populous residential areas, and industrial zones.

Ministries, sectors and localities are advised to build up and maintain on-site fire prevention forces.

The mass media are asked to popularize laws on fire prevention and disseminate rescue methods.

VNA