How to prevent house fires in small alleys in Hai Duong city?

Only one motorbike can go

Hai Duong City has many small, narrow, deep alleys such as Pham Ngu Lao, Tran Phu, Truong My, Bac Son, Mac Thi Buoi, Canh Nong, Quang Trung, Nguyen Trai, Duc Minh, Vu Huu streets... Many alleys on Pham Ngu Lao, Han Giang, Bac Son, Truong My streets can only accommodate one motorbike. If there are vehicles or people going in the opposite direction, they must stop and park to pass together, and even one vehicle must back up to find a place to let the other vehicle pass. Many alleys have developed into a fishbone shape, forming deep, intricate and very narrow alleys.

In the alleys, the houses are built close together. Most of the houses were built a long time ago, are degraded, the electrical system is old, outdated, and unsafe. Due to the narrow space, the first floor of most families is used as both a kitchen, living room, and a place to park motorbikes, electric bicycles, electric motorbikes, etc. Most of the houses are built in the type of tube houses facing the alley, with only one way in and out, which is the main door, the remaining 3 sides are blocked by other houses.

Although most of the houses in the alleys and lanes are used for living, there are still families that combine production, renting out houses, selling food, groceries, sewing, repairing leather shoes, electrical appliances, printing wedding invitations, etc.

From the above factors, if each family does not raise awareness of prevention and vigilance, the risk of fire and explosion will be very high.

According to the preliminary summary of the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Team (Hai Duong City Police), there are nearly 120 alleys in the city that are 50 meters or longer. Currently, most of these alleys only have public fire stations, but do not have a water supply system as designed, and the natural water source from ponds and lakes for fire fighting is basically gone. Many families are still subjective and negligent in managing fire and heat sources; utensils and items are left in a disorganized and unsafe manner, causing obstruction to movement...

Practical recommendations

With the above situation, if a fire or explosion occurs in these inner-city alleys, it will be very dangerous and difficult for fire fighting, rescue and relief.

Major Nguyen Sang Quang, Deputy Head of the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Team (Hai Duong City Police) said that because the houses are close together, when a fire breaks out and is not promptly handled and controlled, the possibility of the fire spreading to adjacent houses is very high and leads to the incident becoming more complicated and unpredictable. In small, long alleys, modern fire fighting equipment such as fire trucks and forklifts to extinguish fires and rescue victims cannot reach. Fire fighting and rescue must be carried out using manual and rudimentary measures such as portable fire extinguishers, pumps, and hand-carried ladders. As a result, the effectiveness of fire fighting and rescue is not high, often missing the "golden hour" to extinguish fires and rescue people.

To prevent and minimize damage from fires and explosions, Lieutenant Colonel Ha Tien Dung, Head of the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department (Provincial Police) has recommended many preventive measures and situation handling measures.

Party committees and authorities at all levels need to strictly implement the instructions of superiors on fire prevention and fighting, rescue and relief work. Actively build and promote the effectiveness of the "Fire Prevention and Fighting Inter-Family Teams" and grassroots firefighting forces. Mobilize the purchase of pumps and firefighting equipment for residential areas and neighborhood groups.

Each family needs to proactively learn and improve their knowledge and skills in fire prevention, rescue, and first aid, especially developing plans to handle situations, escape, and purchase portable fire extinguishers and common demolition tools. High-rise buildings need to have ladders and additional escape routes. Unnecessary flammable items and appliances should be removed, and goods should be arranged neatly, away from sources of fire and heat.

Families should pay attention to checking, repairing, and ensuring the safety of the electrical system. “For each fire and explosion to occur, there must be elements such as combustibles (wood, paper, plastic, gasoline, gas, etc.), oxidizing agents, and igniting agents (fire sources, heat sources, etc.). If each family manages this well, it will contribute to preventing and limiting fires and explosions,” Lieutenant Colonel Ha Tien Dung advised.