We really need to change our perception and actions from today.

Many people will still be haunted by the recent fire at the Khuong Ha mini apartment building. But the important thing is how to avoid similar heartbreaking incidents from happening again?

Nhìn từ vụ cháy chung cư mini Khương Hạ: Cần thực sự thay đổi nhận thức và hành động từ hôm nay...

Looking at the fire at Khuong Ha mini apartment building, we need to really change our awareness and actions from today... (Source: Labor)

The Carina apartment fire 5 years ago in Ho Chi Minh City, the karaoke bar fire in Hanoi, and somewhere there were houses burning down in narrow alleys with solid “tiger cages” and recently the Khuong Ha mini apartment fire… All left behind heartbreaking consequences.

In fact, fire drills in high-rise apartments and residential areas have been held more frequently. Equipment is increasingly modern, regulations and standards on fire prevention and fighting are also improved, but fires still occur. Many lessons have been learned, many violations have been discovered.

Especially in big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, there are hundreds, even thousands of mini apartments that have been and are in operation. Because of the need for housing and the price suitable for income, many people accept to rent or buy such apartments.

While many workers still have difficulty accessing social housing, mini apartments are a type of housing that meets the needs of the people, and is a suitable choice for many people's "wallets". After the fire at the Khuong Ha mini apartment building, which caused great damage to people and property, the authorities intervened and many ideas were put forward, aiming to improve the quality of housing as well as ensure fire safety. In fact, not only mini apartments, but also alleys with high-rise buildings, tube houses that are tightly sealed, surrounded by "tiger cages" also have the risk of fire and explosion.

Someone said, this is a story about lifestyle in society, not just a story about mini apartments. Because the housing needs of workers, especially those from other provinces coming to the city, are still very large. The important thing is, when will low-income workers have access to social housing? How can we increase both the quantity and quality of social housing? How can we prevent people from having to take risks and gamble with their safety in places full of danger?

The hard life of making a living continues, workers still need housing. Therefore, it is necessary to have fundamental and sustainable solutions. We should not wait until a fire breaks out, then "make waves" when an incident occurs, and then everything will be back to normal.

The cause of the mini apartment fire has been announced. However, there is a reality from this fire, which is that collective safety has not been given due importance. Grassroots levels need to more strictly implement regulations on housing management as well as standards and regulations on fire prevention and fighting in apartments...

When visiting the victims, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue commented: "It seems that each of us is at fault in this particularly serious incident." After the incident, Hanoi decided to suspend entertainment activities for 4 days. The city police initiated a case, detained the apartment building owner... Those were timely responses. But it must also be said that this serious fire reminded everyone to be more vigilant. That is also a lesson that the government needs to recognize in the management and construction licensing process.

As mentioned above, mini apartments are also developed due to the great demand of the people. This type of housing has a small area, reasonable price, convenient for people to work and study. However, this type of "matchbox house" overloads the urban infrastructure as well as makes it difficult for authorities to manage fire safety. Besides the issue of safety and fire prevention, mini apartments also put pressure on large urban authorities in solving social infrastructure such as schools, playgrounds, etc.

Perhaps, future risks can only be minimized if we really change both our awareness and actions from today. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and many other large cities still have a great demand for housing for low- and middle-income people. Therefore, specific and sustainable policies are needed to meet the legitimate and essential needs of the people. At the same time, it is necessary to "plug" policy loopholes in fire prevention and fighting and housing construction management. There is a need for additional solutions to ensure safety for apartments in general, especially mini apartments, as well as practice escape skills for people.

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