Residents in several Ho Chi Minh City apartment buildings, including Ngo Tat To, Thanh Da, and Bac Dinh Bo Linh, have agreed to remove iron grills known as “chuong cop” from balconies and windows to ensure emergency exits in case of fire.

On July 12, the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department (PC07) of the HCMC Police, in coordination with local ward authorities, launched a campaign urging residents in high-rise apartment complexes to dismantle illegal iron structures that block emergency exits.

This decisive move follows a tragic fire at Doc Lap Residential Complex that claimed eight lives, where many residents were trapped due to blocked escape routes.

At the Vo Van Kiet 518 apartment complex in Cau Ong Lanh Ward, numerous households have voluntarily taken down their "chuong cop" structures.

Nguyen Thi Kim Que, a resident, shared that her family originally installed the iron enclosure to protect children and deter burglars. However, after witnessing the deadly fire at Doc Lap where escape paths were obstructed, she called the grills a “death trap” and proactively hired workers to remove them.

At Ngo Tat To Apartment Complex in Thanh My Tay Ward, approximately 50 units had iron cages sealing off exits, posing serious safety risks. On the morning of July 12, local authorities and Fire Rescue Team 16, under PC07, together with representatives from Quarter 1, successfully persuaded all affected households to agree to dismantle or modify the cages to create emergency escape routes.

Duong Ngoc Bich, representing Quarter 1, said 100% of residents with sealed iron enclosures consented to either dismantle them or install emergency exits after the recent tragedy.

Throughout the day, PC07 personnel and local officials visited each household, explaining the life-threatening risks of such structures and encouraging compliance. The campaign also promotes fire safety awareness, encouraging residents to install the “Help 114” emergency app and follow PC07 on social media.

Households are being encouraged to equip their homes with portable fire extinguishers and basic rescue tools, and to participate in local safety initiatives such as “Safe Neighborhood Fire Watch,” “Public Firefighting Points,” and the “My Home Has Three” campaign (which promotes having an extinguisher, an emergency exit, and fire safety knowledge).

Following the deadly Doc Lap fire, HCMC authorities issued new directives to enhance fire prevention and rescue efforts, focusing particularly on older apartments and multi-unit buildings.

The HCMC Police Department has been tasked with leading a comprehensive review of fire safety across all residential complexes, issuing strict enforcement measures for violations. They are also coordinating with municipal departments and ward-level authorities to eliminate unlawful modifications like iron cages that obstruct emergency access or intrude on shared spaces.

These cages must either be removed or altered to allow quick escape during emergencies. Additionally, authorities plan to shut down any apartment units used for illegal business operations or those lacking approved fire safety clearance.