Prime Minister directs to focus on overcoming the consequences of two fires in Hanoi and Bac Giang

On June 17, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 59/CD-TTg on the house fire in Dinh Cong ward, Hoang Mai district, Hanoi and Da Mai ward, Bac Giang city, Bac Giang province.

Telegram sent to: Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Government agencies; Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee; Chairman of Bac Giang Provincial People's Committee; Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, stating:

Recently, the Government and the Prime Minister have issued many documents directing drastic measures on fire prevention and fighting. However, on June 16, 2024, two consecutive house fires occurred in Dinh Cong ward, Hoang Mai district, Hanoi and Da Mai ward, Bac Giang city, Bac Giang province, causing particularly serious consequences, killing 7 people.

On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister sent his condolences to the relatives and families of the victims and gave the following instructions: The People's Committee of Hanoi and the People's Committee of Bac Giang province directed the organization of thoughtful visits, timely encouragement, and material and spiritual support to the families of the victims; closely coordinated with the Ministry of Public Security to direct functional forces to focus on overcoming the consequences, promptly investigating the cause of the fire, clarifying the responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals; strictly handling violations (if any) according to the provisions of law.

The Ministry of Public Security shall preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries, branches, agencies and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to continue to seriously, resolutely, effectively and substantially implement documents and instructions of the Government and the Prime Minister on fire prevention and fighting; review, classify and immediately have effective solutions on fire prevention and fighting for rented houses, especially houses with many floors and many apartments; resolutely and strictly handle violations according to the provisions of law; strengthen propaganda and guidance on fire prevention, fighting, rescue and relief skills for people and establishments at high risk of fire and explosion in the area.

Urgently draft and submit to the Prime Minister for promulgation a document directing the work of effectively preventing and stopping fires and explosions in objects and facilities at high risk of fire and explosion, especially multi-storey houses, many apartments, rental houses, houses combined with production and business, means and equipment using electricity..., report to the Prime Minister before July 15, 2024.

Strictly handle the responsibility of the heads of local Party committees and authorities if they allow facilities with high risk of fire and explosion to operate without ensuring fire prevention and fighting safety conditions and allow fires and explosions to occur with serious consequences due to lack of leadership, direction, inspection, supervision or inadequate implementation of responsibilities within their scope of management for fire prevention, fighting and rescue work.

The Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Education and Training coordinate with the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to strengthen warnings of fire and explosion risks, especially on hot, sunny days; continue to disseminate knowledge and skills on fire prevention and fighting, and emergency escape skills to students and children during the summer vacation in appropriate forms.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the People's Committees of localities require the electricity sector to assign officials to "go to every alley, knock on every door" to inspect and guide people in managing and using electricity safely, overcoming the situation of using electricity improperly, not according to the manufacturer's requirements, contributing to limiting fires and explosions caused by electricity. The Government Office and the Ministry of Public Security regularly monitor, urge and promptly report to the Prime Minister on the situation and results of implementing this Official Dispatch.