There are 159 fires so far this year in the capital, causing six deaths, 24 injuries and losses of 20.2 billion VND (1.12 million USD).

According to the Fire Prevention and Fighting Division under the Hanoi Police, the cause of the increase in fires, 76 cases more than the same period last year is businesses’ disregard for fire prevention.

The division said that in addition to a lack of proper fire prevention equipment, enterprises were running production lines without taking fire safety precautions, leading to a higher risk of fire. There has been one more death and 15 more injuries than the same period in 2008. Loss of property is 10 times higher than last year, according to the division.

Nguyen Van Son, vice head of the division, said that a shortage in the city’s fire prevention and fighting force is also a problem. “We only have 600 staff to cover a city of six million people.”

Son also reported that cases of major fires are on the rise due to the enlargement of residential areas and industrial zones.

There have been more than 12,000 cases of fire throughout the country in the last five years and of that number 0.97 percent are major cases which caused 66 percent of the losses, he said.

“In the near future, we will inspect and examine all businesses to make sure they are all equipped with fire safety systems,” said Son.

“However, we expect to increase the public’s responsibility for fire prevention and fighting,” Son said, adding this will be the most effective measure to reduce fires./.