HCMC – The competent forces in HCMC have suspended 26 businesses providing karaoke and bar services for violating fire safety regulations and imposed administrative fines of over VND1.2 billion on violators.
The HCMC police and firefighting forces have jointly inspected 460 karaoke parlors, bars and clubs citywide for their compliance with fire safety regulations.
These 26 karaoke lounges subject to the suspension were found operating without having their fire safety precautions appraised by the authorities.
Findings also showed that many others failed to comply with fire safety rules. These businesses had facilities without emergency exits and installed huge advertising signs which almost covered their façade, in addition to a lack of safety firefighting equipment. Therefore, they were slapped with administrative fines of over VND1.2 billion in total.
A fatal karaoke bar blaze on August 1 in Hanoi killed three firefighters. Following this tragic incident, the Ministry of Public Security demanded the provinces and cities nationwide launch a wide-ranging campaign to check if karaoke parlors, bars and discos comply with fire safety rules.
The HCMC Police Department’s campaign takes place from August 17 to September 17.
According to the HCMC police, most karaoke lounges, bars and clubs in the city use many highly flammable soundproofing materials and decorations. Hence, when a fire breaks out, the inhalation of toxic smoke can be harmful to people. In addition, conducting firefighting and rescue operations at these places is difficult.
Last week, 32 people were killed and many others injured in a fire at the An Phu karaoke bar on Tran Quang Dieu Street in An Phu Ward, Thuan An City, Binh Duong Province.
