Is it better to NOT have fire extinguishers in place?

I have been asking other groups and other safety professionals their thoughts and opinions on the removal of fire extinguishers from residential common areas such as the Housing Urban Authority (HUD) and student campus living areas. I've read articles on line from England concerning this; fire extinguishers were removed from the common areas where students are living on campus.

Here in the states, I have family members living in a housing authority area belonging to HUD. They removed the fire extinguishers from the individual living units. A supervisor stated that there is more risk associated with having an extinguisher rather then just leaving the burning area, closing the door or containing the fire, and calling 911; because often, time is wasted and a false sense of security is maintained believing the extinguisher contents is the correct typ! e to put our the fire....or will the fire worsen because the extinguisher is empty. In the end, this could lead to loss of life! In the unit where my family member lives extinguishers are ABC Dry Chemical extinguishers.

Would anyone having an opinion about the reasoning for removing the extinguisher from the home or common area offer an opinion about occupant safety without an extinguisher? I have not read statistics on the incidents involving this interpretation.