Hanoi to suspend karaoke bars after blazing tragedies

November 08, 2016 | 14:47

(0) user say

In the wake of recent fires breaking out at karaoke bars and in a bid to prevent further casualties, the authorities of Hanoi are considering suspending the operation of all karaoke bars till December 31.

Photo source: TTXVN

As quoted by newswire dantri.com.vn, at the November 7 meeting of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung said the committee may issue the decision soon.

“In the meantime, the relevant authorities are going to investigate all karaoke bars for criteria such as the area of rooms, lighting, and accessibility of emergency exits. Also, the big billboards will be taken down,” he said.

He said the billboards have to meet some size regulations and should not cover the whole façade of the bar, as they often do.

According to Trung, the committee received several calls for an investigation of all LED lights imported from China. While LED lights imported from Germany have lifespans of up to 75,000 hours, Chinese lights last only for about 20,000 and their heat dissipation parts are sub-standard, increasing fire hazard.

Earlier this month, a karaoke bar in Cau Giay district caught fire, killing 13, 11 of whom were government employees. The fire was likely sparked because welders were working on a signboard at the bar, which had neither a fire safety certificate nor a business operation licence.

The disaster followed another karaoke bar fire also in Cau Giay, fortunately without casualties. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 23 fires have broken out at karaoke bars nationwide, causing a loss of VND9.5 billion ($430,000). In Hanoi alone six fires have been reported, according to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

Bui Quang Viet, deputy head of the MPS’ fire department, said karaoke bars are more susceptible to fires than other establishments because their big billboards block potential escape routes through windows and balconies. Also, to soundproof these bars, a lot of foam, rubber, and sponge, all highly flammable, are used. A chance fire would spread rapidly and the smoke would quickly suffocate the people inside.

After the fires, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the local authorities in major cities nationwide to carry out urgent fire inspections at public places, focusing on karaoke bars, bars, and restaurants.

Hanoian authorities have held fire safety inspections at more than 1,200 karaoke venues across the city since November 2. All karaoke venues in Cau Giay have been closed for inspection.