The Hanoi People's Committee has addressed voter concerns regarding the need for more fire hydrants in the city's districts.

According to the committee, in August 2023, the local authorities tasked the Hanoi Police Agency with coordinating with relevant units to inspect, review, and assess the current status of the fire protection water supply system. The objective was to propose necessary investments in the water supply infrastructure.

The survey conducted by the Hanoi Police Agency revealed the urgent need for nearly 10,200 additional water towers, 1,673 water tanks, 848 water intakes, and water collection pits across 30 districts. Following these findings, the police agency has communicated with the Hanoi People's Committee and related units to seek coordination and advice on implementing the construction of this expanded water supply system.

The Hanoi Police Agency is collaborating with the Hanoi Infrastructure and Agricultural Construction Investment Project Management Board and clean water companies to identify densely populated areas with a high risk of fire and explosion. These areas will be prioritized for the investment and construction of a fire-fighting water supply system.

The Hanoi Police Agency is preparing to advise the Hanoi People's Committee on executing the project to build a fire-fighting water supply system starting in 2024 and continuing in the subsequent years.

Hanoi has experienced several severe fires recently, resulting in significant human and property losses. On June 16, a fire at a residential house at 207 Dinh Cong Ha (Hoang Mai district) killed four people. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

On May 24, a fire at a boarding house combined with a business in alley 43 Trung Kinh (Cau Giay district) claimed 14 lives. In September 2023, a fire in an illegally built mini apartment building in Thanh Xuan district killed 56 people.

A common issue in these tragic fires is that the affected houses were located deep in alleys and lanes, hindering the ability of authorities and fire-fighting vehicles to access and extinguish the flames.

Quang Phong