Nearly 650 fires occurred in eight provinces and cities during the first 10 months of this year, killing 40 people and injuring 60 others.

Property losses from the blazes were estimated at nearly 133 billion VND (6.2 million USD), heard a conference on security of eight provinces and cities held in Can Tho on November 5.

The localities were Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho cities, northern Vinh Phuc, southern Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces.

There were also 10 explosions - two lower than the same period last year- that killed seven people and injured six others, the conference reported.

Firefighters of the eight localities have intensified inspections on fire prevention at production establishments, residential areas, markets, trade centres, industrial and export processing parks, and trade villages.

Nearly 4,500 fire fighting teams were set up in all the eight localities.

The conference called on provinces and cities to strengthen educational activities to raise the public awareness on the world.

Between November, 2013 and August, 2014, more than 1,550 fires occurred nationwide killing 55 people and injuring 119 others.-VNA