Hanoi’s fire department will conduct safety checks on all 1,204 karaoke bars in the capital city following the deadly blaze on November 1 at a karaoke bar at 68 Tran Thai Tong Street that claimed 13 lives.

The fire at a karaoke bar in Hanoi killed 13 people. 

Deputy Director of the fire department Colonel Nguyen Tuan Anh said the checks began on November 2 with the aim of detecting inadequacies and shortcomings in fire prevention at those businesses.

Regarding the fire at the karaoke bar at 68 Tran Thai Tong Street, Hanoi’s Cau Giay district, the colonel said initial results of investigation showed the fire was caused by negligence on the part of welders who did repair work on the building’s second floor.

The Hanoi Police Department has commenced criminal proceedings against violations of regulations on fire prevention and fight at the 68 Tran Thai Tong karaoke bar.

According to Major General Doan Viet Manh from the Ministry of Public Security’s Fire and Rescue Police Department (C66), the department on November 2 sent an urgent letter to police and fire prevention departments in centrally-run cities and provinces nationwide, warning the insecurity and high flame risks at entertainment establishments across the country. 

Since the beginning of 2016, twenty-three fires have been reported at karaoke bars nationwide, causing tremendous human and material losses.

Criminal proceedings taken against fire prevention violations in Hanoi

The Hanoi Police Department has commenced criminal proceedings against violations of regulations on fire prevention and fight at a karaoke bar in Hanoi.

Colonel Duong Van Giap, head of the department’s criminal investigation in social order (PC45), said the police are coordinating with relevant agencies to look into a blaze that broke out at a karaoke bar in Cau Giay district on November 1, claiming 13 lives.

According to Chairman of the Cau Giay People’s Committee Duong Cao Thanh, the owner of the karaoke bar is Nguyen Dieu Linh, 30 and residing in Van Quan ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi.

Linh did not have enough papers required for the bar’s operation, including the fire prevention and security assessment certificates and karaoke bar permission.

The Chairman said local police had conducted several inspections on the bar in October, requesting it to cease operation until such requirements were met.

Major General Doan Viet Manh from the Ministry of Public Security’s Fire and Rescue Police Department (C66) told reporters from Vietnam News Agency that the department on November 2 sent an urgent letter to police and fire prevention departments in centrally-run cities and provinces nationwide, warning the insecurity and high flame risks at entertainment establishments across the country.

The letter unveiled that since the beginning of 2016, twenty-three fires have been reported at karaoke bars nationwide, causing tremendous human and material losses.

The karaoke bar blaze occurred in Hanoi ’s Cau Giay district on November 1spread to three neighouring buildings and took heavy toll, it stressed.

C66 has requested police and fire prevention forces to inspect the observance of fire prevention regulations at all entertainment spots, especially in karaoke lounges, dance halls, bars, and restaurants.

Any violations must be strictly handled.

It is necessary to raise public awareness of fire prevention measures and survival skills.

On November 2, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued a dispatch on strengthening fire prevention and fight to ministries, agencies, people’s committees of centrally-run cities and provinces nationwide.

VNA