Many residents of old apartment buildings in Ho Chi Minh City continue to enclose their balconies with welded iron bars - commonly known as “tiger cages” - to extend living space and enhance security. However, this practice poses serious risks, especially in the event of a fire.

On the evening of July 6, a devastating fire at Doc Lap Apartment Complex (Phu Tho Hoa Ward, HCMC) claimed the lives of eight people. According to initial reports, the fire started in a ground-floor apartment and quickly spread to upper floors.

Authorities are still investigating the cause. At the scene, it was evident that nearly all balconies had been sealed off with wire mesh or iron frames, severely limiting residents' ability to escape.

By the morning of July 8, some residents began dismantling metal enclosures and clearing unauthorized extensions around the complex.

In many old apartment buildings across HCMC, “tiger cage” balconies are a familiar sight. While installed to deter theft and maximize space, few anticipate the deadly consequences they could pose in emergencies.

At Thanh Da Apartment Complex (Binh Quoi Ward), most balconies have fixed iron grills. Built more than 50 years ago, the buildings are in poor condition, and residents remain wary of theft.

Nguyen Thi Le, 60, has lived in a 54 m² apartment in Block 10 of Thanh Da Complex for 18 years. She said the low floors are especially vulnerable to break-ins.

“There’s no security team here like in newer buildings, so residents must protect their property themselves. Most of us on the lower levels install iron grills for both security and extra space,” Le explained.

After a series of deadly apartment fires, some households have proactively added escape openings in their balcony enclosures. Still, many others have not.

Nearby, in Block A of Thanh Da Complex (Binh Quoi Ward), many street-facing apartments also feature sealed iron grills.

The same pattern is seen across numerous older buildings, such as 537 and 548 Pham Van Dong (Binh Loi Trung Ward), Block A of Ngo Tat To Apartments (Thanh My Tay Ward), and the 1A - 1B Nguyen Dinh Chieu Complex (Saigon Ward), where most balconies are boxed in.

Following the tragic fire at Doc Lap Complex, HCMC Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc has directed all districts and wards to urgently inspect residential areas - particularly old apartment buildings and rental homes in narrow alleys - to ensure fire safety standards are met. Violations must be promptly addressed and rectified.

Anh Phuong