At noon on March 29, the regular press conference of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee was unusually `hot` with about 100 media reporters attending.
Colonel Nguyen Van Bang.
Three reasons cause tragic consequences
As the first person to respond, Colonel Nguyen Van Bang (Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Fire Protection Police) said that there were three reasons why the fire caused serious consequences: slow fire alarm, inadequate fire protection system of the apartment building.
Since it was accepted and put into use (2012) until now, the Fire Protection Police have inspected the Carina apartment building 22 times, of which 4 times the investor was handled for administrative violations with 7 errors in the room system.
`As recently as December 2017, inspection officers discovered and made a record that two pumps in this apartment were not working,` Mr. Bang said, adding that the Fire Police have not yet suspended or disciplined any of them.
The police are individualizing criminal responsibility for each person
Meanwhile, Colonel Nguyen Sy Quang (Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Police Office) said that initial investigation authorities discovered violations in the equipment and operation of fire protection at the Carina apartment building.
`The cause of the fire came from an electrical short circuit on the motorbike, excluding factors that caused explosion or intentional fire. The specific responsibility of each individual and group is still being investigated and it takes time. When
A spokesperson for the Ho Chi Minh City Police also confirmed that there were no cases of apartment residents being threatened, looted, stolen, or residents being prevented from entering the house to get things.
Colonel Nguyen Sy Quang.
Investor Carina was hospitalized and refused the summons
Speaking more clearly about the fire investigation process, Colonel Nguyen Minh Thong (Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency) said that sparks came from Attila’s car at 1:15 a.m. on March 23.
The fire grew over the course of 8 minutes, reaching the height of the basement’s ventilation duct and spreading to surrounding motorbikes.
`At that moment there was no sign of anyone – that is, the on-site firefighting force. It’s painful in that, if someone on duty (security) had discovered it, a small fire extinguisher could have prevented this disaster,` he said.
Also according to Mr. Thong, when the police examined the scene, all the emergency exits were open.
`The apartment building has a security department and security shifts. All cameras are on screen and according to regulations there must be someone on duty. Therefore, as long as the person on duty detects the fire, it can be stopped.
The investigation agency determined that Hung Thanh Company was the investor and signed a service contract with Saigon Real Estate Company to set up an apartment management board.
`We intend to work with Mr. Nguyen Van Tung (Director of Hung Thanh Company), but he has been in Trieu An Hospital since March 25. We sent a summons and he did not show up and refused to work due to other reasons.
Colonel Nguyen Minh Thong.
At the end of the meeting, Chief of Office of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan said that the heat of the fire was very large and could affect the concrete and plastic wall systems… so the authorities would check.
`The city is very clear that it must soon stabilize people’s lives, but it must be done seriously, not allowing the investor to repair it himself and hand over the house. The time can last more than 30 days, but the
According to Mr. Hoan, the city also agreed with the recommendations of Carina residents and required the investor to immediately replace the entire fire suppression system and the elevator system, which had too many problems;
City leaders also assigned the Department of Construction to evaluate and soon announce the results of building quality;
Speaking more about ensuring fire safety in apartments and high-rise buildings, Mr. Hoan said that this time the city will review all projects and set evaluation criteria.
Mr. Vo Van Hoan.
Carina Plaza Apartment is located on a land area of more than 19,000 m2 on Vo Van Kiet Street.
A fire that occurred in the basement early in the morning of March 23 killed 13 people, hospitalized more than 90 people, and burned 17 cars and more than 340 motorbikes.
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