17-9-2023 (HANOI) The demand for fire safety equipment in Ho Chi Minh City has witnessed a significant upsurge following a tragic blaze that claimed the lives of 56 individuals in a Hanoi apartment block earlier this week.
Bui Van Trieu, a specialist in designing fire prevention and firefighting systems in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, revealed that he has been inundated with calls from concerned friends seeking guidance on fire safety equipment, including gas masks, rope ladders, and fire extinguishers.
Trieu explained that most of these inquiries come from individuals residing in apartment buildings and boarding houses who have become increasingly apprehensive after hearing about the devastating inferno in Hanoi that occurred on Tuesday.
To allay these concerns, Trieu advised, “Everyone should purchase fire safety equipment from reputable stores with inspection stamps to avoid substandard products.”
Similarly, Quang Truong, a resident of Nha Be, a district on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, shared that he felt a heightened sense of unease after reading about the Hanoi fire. Consequently, he spent his Saturday afternoon selecting a rope ladder and a fire extinguisher, emphasizing that these preparations are vital for responding effectively to fires.
“While fire prevention and firefighting devices are available in apartment buildings, it is advisable to remain vigilant,” Truong noted.
Pham Thu Huyen, a resident of Binh Thanh District, took it upon herself to search for a rope ladder over the weekend. She explained her decision, saying, “I read in the newspapers about a family in Hanoi escaping a fire from the third floor using a rope ladder, so I decided to purchase one immediately.”
Reporters from Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper ventured to fire safety equipment shops located on Nguyen Thai Binh and Calmette Streets in District 1, as well as Huynh Tan Phat Street in District 7. Their findings revealed an exponential surge in the sales of gas masks, rope ladders, and fire extinguishers.
Phuong, the proprietor of a store on Calmette Street, disclosed that numerous products had already been sold out. “Only two five-meter rope ladders remain available as the supply is limited. The store has completely sold out of those with lengths of 20 meters and above,” Phuong stated. Additionally, he explained that suppliers had hiked the prices of fire safety products following the Hanoi fire, a move that the store had reluctantly accepted due to the overwhelming demand.
However, the importation of such items poses a considerable challenge. Nguyen Linh, the owner of another fire safety equipment shop on Cong Hoa Street in Tan Binh District, reported receiving dozens of phone calls ordering fire safety equipment since Wednesday. However, the store lacked sufficient products for sale. Linh mentioned that earlier, items like gas masks and rope ladders found no takers. But after the Hanoi apartment block fire, residents flocked to purchase these products, leading to a surge in inquiries and pre-orders. Customers are now expected to wait until next week to buy gas masks and until the end of September to acquire rope ladders from his store.
Even Lua Viet Co. Ltd., a supplier of fire safety equipment based in District 7, faced a shortage of products. A company representative acknowledged the soaring demand for fire safety equipment, which has resulted in the scarcity of certain items. Presently, the company can offer gas masks and fire extinguishers at stable prices, while customers are required to place pre-orders for escape ladders, with a waiting period of two weeks for delivery.
While fire safety equipment has been selling briskly on e-commerce platforms, many consumers remain cautious about purchasing such products online due to difficulties in verifying their quality and origin.
