140 karaoke bars in HCMC, Dong Nai do not meet fire safety standards

The Dong Nai police said Thursday that surprise checks at 150 karaoke parlors found 50 of them falling short of safety requirements either in terms of design or equipment.

Of them, four could be shut down temporarily.

The HCMC police said Wednesday they inspected around 300 parlors and found 90 of them in violation.

They have said almost all 500 karaoke places in the city would be checked.

They shut down two for lack of certification on meeting fire safety requirements.

Fire safety at karaoke bars is drawing public attention after a deadly blaze at a parlor in Binh Duong Province next to HCMC killed 32 people on Tuesday night.

The police suspect the cause of the fire could have been a short circuit in a room in the three-story premises.

In an announcement on Thursday, the government office, citing Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, order cities and provinces to tighten control on karaoke parlors and suspend those that fail to follow fire safety protocols.

The office ordered that all karaoke parlors must have a second emergency exit, either through a balcony, the roof or stairs.