These mixed-use buildings typically house both living quarters and business operations under one roof. Many families use the ground floor for running grocery stores, clothing shops, eateries, motorbike repair, or barbershops, while the upper floors are reserved for living space. This overlap in functionality creates multiple fire hazards. In reality, many such properties lack secondary escape routes, fire alarms, extinguishers, and safe electrical systems. Highly flammable goods are often placed near heat sources, compounding the risk.

Ensuring fire prevention and firefighting (FPF) in these structures remains a major challenge. Some homeowners remain complacent, underestimating the dangers of fire incidents. Investments in fire safety equipment are sometimes viewed as unnecessary or too costly. Many of these homes are older buildings that fail to meet current technical safety standards. In remote and mountainous areas, access to fire safety information and equipment is often limited, reducing overall effectiveness.

Nguyễn Thị Hải T., who operates a small shop from her home in Điện Biên Phủ ward, Điện Biên province, shared: “My family lives upstairs and runs a store downstairs. Due to space constraints, we use every corner to store goods, even the walkways are filled. I understand the fire risks, but investing in full fire protection equipment is difficult due to financial limitations. Besides, the house was built long ago and wasn’t designed with fire safety in mind, so retrofitting is very challenging.”

From 2024 to the present, Điện Biên province has recorded 30 fires, 17 of which occurred in residential or mixed-use properties. According to authorities, the majority of these fires were caused by electrical failures, including short circuits, overloads, and the use of substandard wiring or unsafe appliances. Other incidents stemmed from careless use of open flames, such as burning incense, cooking, or burning votive paper near flammable materials. In some cases, serious violations of fire safety regulations were involved.

In response, the local fire police have ramped up inspections, focusing not only on businesses near markets but also on family-run commercial homes. Inspectors evaluate potential risks such as electrical systems, gas stoves, fryers, fuel containers, initial response plans, fire exits, signage, and smoke ventilation systems. If violations or safety shortcomings are found, owners are required to address them immediately, or face business suspension until they comply.

Public awareness campaigns and training have also been intensified. Fire safety officers now regularly conduct drills and workshops on using fire extinguishers and responding to gas leaks or fire outbreaks. The goal is to raise awareness in every household and business, ensuring no small oversight leads to disaster.

Since the beginning of the year, the fire police have held 16 fire prevention and rescue awareness events, engaging 11,150 participants. Another 7 hands-on practice sessions were organized, involving 4,230 people. In partnership with local authorities, 25 additional training sessions have been conducted for more than 4,300 local security personnel. At the same time, community-based fire safety initiatives continue to grow, including: 162 “Public firefighting points”, 172 “Fire-safe neighborhood clusters”, 334 “Fire-safe schools”, over 800 “Fire safety gong alerts” used in villages.

So far, 453 facilities have been inspected, with official reports issued for each. Six fire safety issues were flagged for immediate correction. Authorities also reviewed fire safety at 63 archives and storage facilities as local agencies reorganized. In addition, the Department of Industry and Trade partnered with fire police to inspect 21 industrial explosive material warehouses across the province. One administrative fine has been issued for fire safety violations.

Currently, Điện Biên province hosts one gas refilling plant, 172 fuel and LPG retailers, 30 facilities regularly handling industrial explosives, more than 320 agencies, businesses, and factories, over 120 hotels, hostels, and guesthouses, 40 markets and shopping centers, over 5,000 mixed-use homes with high fire risk.

At the end of 2024, the National Assembly passed the fire prevention and rescue law, effective from July 1, 2025. Article 21 of the law addresses fire safety for mixed-use homes, mandating the following conditions: Compliance with general fire safety regulations outlined in Article 20, proper placement of warning and instruction signs, use of fire partitions or barriers to separate residential and commercial areas where fire or explosion risks are high.

For properties dealing with hazardous goods, additional rules apply: No sleeping areas allowed in hazardous production or business zones, fire alarms, ventilation systems, and gas leak detectors must be installed, hazardous zones must be fire-separated from emergency exits and residential areas.

The principle “prevention is better than cure” has never been more relevant, especially amid rapid urbanization and commercial growth. A coordinated effort between government, emergency services, and the public is essential to building a safer, more resilient community, minimizing the impact of potential fires.