Danang Firefighters face challenges in urban areas
Lack of hydrants, small alleys, congestions and weak urban planning are hindering firefighting work in Danang City centre.
On September 11, a fire broke out at Leo Night Club in Danang's centre. It took three hours to put the fire under control and the bar turned into a furnace in the middle of the city. No one was hurt and the authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. 27 fire trucks were sent out and about 1km of roads were blocked so that the trucks could access the site. Even though the fire didn't spread, it begs the question about fire safety in the city's centre. Since up to 27 trucks were sent did the hydrants around have enough water for firefighting?
125 fires broke out across Danang in the first six months of 2018, an increase of 100 cases compared to the same period last year. 32 cases were in Hai Chau District alone, an inner district of Danang. Many main streets such as Nguyen Van Linh, Le Duan and Hung Vuong severely lack hydrants. There is only one hydrant for every kilometre or more even though it is regulated that an urban area needs a hydrant every 500 metres. The hydrants must also meet requirements about the water pressure.
Nguyen Thanh Nam from the Danang Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department said urban firefighting depended on many factors, from the time the fire was discovered to the equipment of the firefighters. "A small fire can become huge in three minutes while it may take at least 10 minutes to arrive at the site, not the mention congestion and small roads," he said.
There are more risks when a fire breaks out in substandard buildings. The clusters of houses, especially old buildings, have no exits. According to Nam, Danang still lacks five hydrants.
"Many hydrants have been damaged and can't be used anymore. The hydrants are also very different because of different contractors. We've suggested building 21 sites to provide fire extinguishing-water only but we can't sync them with the transport infrastructure yet. Some roads were deemed too weak by the Department of Transport while some others were said to be not scenic enough," Nam said.
He went on to say that there was not enough land for a firefighting department in Hai Chau District. As the result, they have to base in Cam Le District but is on the verge of being chased out.
Last year, Danang authorities held a meeting about expanding access for the firefighters to the houses in alleyways. Authorities in Thanh Khe, Hai Chau and Ngu Hanh Son are still making plans to set up hydrants in those areas. The Department of Construction has issued a regulation that forces owners to keep off the road two metres when building a new house.
"We are thinking that it's fine with several dozens of fire trucks but nothing can save a place which is difficult to access and doesn't have a water source," Nam said. "I hope the authorities will pay more attention to firefighting and urban planning to avoid quick-fix solutions."
Leo Night Club fire on September 11
On September 11, a fire broke out at Leo Night Club in Danang's centre. It took three hours to put the fire under control and the bar turned into a furnace in the middle of the city. No one was hurt and the authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. 27 fire trucks were sent out and about 1km of roads were blocked so that the trucks could access the site. Even though the fire didn't spread, it begs the question about fire safety in the city's centre. Since up to 27 trucks were sent did the hydrants around have enough water for firefighting?
125 fires broke out across Danang in the first six months of 2018, an increase of 100 cases compared to the same period last year. 32 cases were in Hai Chau District alone, an inner district of Danang. Many main streets such as Nguyen Van Linh, Le Duan and Hung Vuong severely lack hydrants. There is only one hydrant for every kilometre or more even though it is regulated that an urban area needs a hydrant every 500 metres. The hydrants must also meet requirements about the water pressure.
Nguyen Thanh Nam from the Danang Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department said urban firefighting depended on many factors, from the time the fire was discovered to the equipment of the firefighters. "A small fire can become huge in three minutes while it may take at least 10 minutes to arrive at the site, not the mention congestion and small roads," he said.
There are more risks when a fire breaks out in substandard buildings. The clusters of houses, especially old buildings, have no exits. According to Nam, Danang still lacks five hydrants.
"Many hydrants have been damaged and can't be used anymore. The hydrants are also very different because of different contractors. We've suggested building 21 sites to provide fire extinguishing-water only but we can't sync them with the transport infrastructure yet. Some roads were deemed too weak by the Department of Transport while some others were said to be not scenic enough," Nam said.
He went on to say that there was not enough land for a firefighting department in Hai Chau District. As the result, they have to base in Cam Le District but is on the verge of being chased out.
Last year, Danang authorities held a meeting about expanding access for the firefighters to the houses in alleyways. Authorities in Thanh Khe, Hai Chau and Ngu Hanh Son are still making plans to set up hydrants in those areas. The Department of Construction has issued a regulation that forces owners to keep off the road two metres when building a new house.
"We are thinking that it's fine with several dozens of fire trucks but nothing can save a place which is difficult to access and doesn't have a water source," Nam said. "I hope the authorities will pay more attention to firefighting and urban planning to avoid quick-fix solutions."
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