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Olga Wong

Hong Kong firefighters have nearly extinguished a massive blaze at a construction site that burned for more than 40 hours.
The fire, which began at a Housing Society site in Tin Shui Wai at about 1.20pm on Tuesday, was largely put out by 7am on Thursday.
The Fire Services Department said in the morning that some firefighters still needed to stay behind to prevent the fire from emerging again.
Wong King-man, deputy chief fire officer of New Territories North, said the vast area of the site, together with a large amount of building materials, had complicated the operation.
“The fire site is 70 by 80 metres [230 by 262 feet], meaning the size is more than 5,000 square metres,” Wong said. “There was lots of smoke and the temperature was very high, going beyond 500 degrees Celsius [932 Fahrenheit].”
The highly flammable oxyacetylene cylinders at the site also contributed to the intense fire, Wong said.
Firefighters were able to rein in the blaze after changing their defensive strategy to a more proactive one on Wednesday, authorities said.
Emergency personnel were unable to access the basement area of the site, where they said they believed the fire started, for more than a day.
Drones were deployed for aerial surveillance and robots sent to assist firefighters during the marathon bid to gain the upper hand.
Wong explained that the basement was like a maze, with metal and wooden frames strewn about that prevented firefighters from getting in.
Firefighters enter Hong Kong construction site to fight overnight blaze
As of Thursday morning, authorities had mobilised 741 firefighters and emergency personnel, 201 fire engines and 14 ambulances. Eight water jets and six breathing apparatus teams were involved.
At its peak, the fire was upgraded to a No 4 alarm. Fires in Hong Kong are rated on a scale of one to five, with five the most serious.
The Fire Services Department said earlier that explosions had occurred in the basement, possibly linked to the oxyacetylene cylinders.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. No casualties have been reported, but residents nearby were forced to close their windows to prevent the plumes of thick smoke from entering their flats.

Mary Chan Yuen-ming, a chief officer at the Buildings Department, said that two tower cranes at the site were under no immediate danger. Officers from the department would also stay behind at the site to provide assistance to firefighters.
She said further inspections were needed to determine when construction work at the site could resume.
“We need to go inside the site to do an assessment and to see if there is any follow-up work needed,” Chan said, adding that they would also inspect the supporting bases of the two tower cranes.
Hong Kong building where deadly fire erupted is warren of flats and businesses
The site will host 962 subsidised flats being built as part of the second phase of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area under the Housing Society. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
The society said it would consider reinforcing two tower cranes at the site, or disassembling and replacing them, after the site reopened.
A separate fire broke out in a 60-year-old building in Kowloon on Wednesday, killing at least five people and injuring 43 others.


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Hong Kong construction site blaze mostly put out after burning for 40 hours

Smoke rises from the site. Authorities mobilised seven water jets and two breathing apparatus teams to help fight the blaze. Photo: May Tse

Firefighters battle the blaze at the construction site. Authorities said explosions occurred in the basement, possibly linked to oxyacetylene cylinders. Photo: May Tse

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Firefighters stage a rescue using a fire engine’s ladder. Photo: Jelly Tse

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Forty of the injured were taken to five hospitals. Photo: Jelly Tse

Some building tenants wait for rescue after being forced to evacuate to the roof. Photo: Jelly Tse

Firefighters rescue people at New Lucky House on Jordan Road. Photo: Handout

Residents are rescued at New Lucky House. Photo: Jelly Tse

Firefighters rushed to the scene on Jordan Road after receiving a call at 7.53am. Photo: Jelly Tse

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Tenants have described rushing to higher floors to find safety during the blaze. Photo: Jelly Tse

First responders attend to the injured. Photo: Jelly Tse

The fire broke out at New Lucky House early on Wednesday morning. Photo: Jelly Tse

People wait near the scene of the fire at New Lucky House at the junction of Jordan Road and Nathan Road. Photo: Jelly Tse

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Authorities have said two tower cranes at the blaze site are not at an immediate risk of collapsing due to improved conditions on the ground. Photo: May Tse

Wong King-man (right), deputy chief fire officer, displays a photo to reporters at the site of a massive blaze at a Tin Shui Wai construction site. Photo: May Tse

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Massive blaze at Housing Society site in Tin Shui Wai brought under control, after marathon effort by firefighters who also deployed drones and robots
At its peak, fire upgraded to No 4 alarm, second-highest on city’s scale of fire severity


Massive blaze at Housing Society site in Tin Shui Wai brought under control, after marathon effort by firefighters who also deployed drones and robots.


Hong Kong fires and safety

Hong Kong rescue services

Hong Kong construction site blaze mostly put out after burning for 40 hours

Massive blaze at Housing Society site in Tin Shui Wai brought under control, after marathon effort by firefighters who also deployed drones and robots At its peak, fire upgraded to No 4 alarm, second-highest on city’s scale of fire severity

Massive blaze at Housing Society site in Tin Shui Wai brought under control, after marathon effort by firefighters who also deployed drones and robots

At its peak, fire upgraded to No 4 alarm, second-highest on city’s scale of fire severity