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Hong Kong fires and safety

Hong Kong fires and safety
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hong Kong fires and safety. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
The Fire Services Department issued more than 8,500 safety warnings for old mixed-use properties between April and November. Photo: Eugene Lee
Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong to ramp up crackdown on fire hazards in high-risk old buildings

Special team will carry on work of inspection operation launched in wake of deadly New Lucky House blaze.

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Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong man, 60, dies after fire breaks out in 12th-floor flat

Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong man jumps into sea to escape 6-boat blaze at pier in Tuen Mun

Accidents and personal safety

Shipyard fire in Hong Kong’s Aberdeen put out after 4-hour battle

Boats being repaired were made of fibreglass so fire spread quickly, officials say.

The fire escalated into a No.3 alarm within half an hour at the shipyard on Shum Wan Road at 4.11pm. Photo: Facebook / southernbuddies
Accidents and personal safety

Man, 65, dies in Hong Kong fire caused by short circuit of phone charger in flat

Fire in Chai Wan flat at 11.38am on Sunday also injures man’s daughter, 31.

Accidents and personal safety

Fire at Hong Kong cargo area put out after burning for 14 hours

Huge plumes of smoke from Yau Ma Tei site draw attention of onlookers on both sides of Victoria Harbour; no casualties reported.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to use firefighting drones for tomb-sweeping festival for first time

High risk of hill fires because of dry weather, authorities warn ahead of Chung Yeung Festival.

People pay tribute to their ancestors during the Chung Yeung Festival. Photo: Sam Tsang
Accidents and personal safety

Passengers evacuated from Hong Kong train carriage after lithium battery fire

One passenger sustains minor injuries and is taken to United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong for treatment.

Accidents and personal safety

Elderly man dies after blaze in luxury flat in Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels

Fire broke out shortly before 5pm in flat in Tower 2 of Elegant Terrace, prompting evacuation of about 50 people.

Accidents and personal safety

Woman arrested for suspected child neglect after 2 saved from Hong Kong flat fire

Online video footage shows flames and smoke coming out of high-rise flat in Tsz Wan Shan with two children trapped inside.

The blaze occurred at Lok Moon House at Tsz Lok Estate. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Accidents and personal safety

Deadly Hong Kong flat fire possibly broke out after television burst into flames

Television was provided to the 86-year-old woman who died in the fire by a welfare organisation years ago, Post learns.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by firefighters. Photo: Handout
My Take

My Take | Hong Kong must heed the lessons of the Grenfell Tower tragedy

The city faces long-standing fire safety problems and the UK inquiry starkly demonstrates the need for urgency in combating such risks.

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong watchdog warns some cooker hoods pose fire, electrical hazards

Consumer Council says five of 14 models that underwent its evaluation failed at least one type of safety test

Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong issues 5,000 fire safety warnings after 700 old buildings inspected

Blaze in 60-year-old New Lucky House in Yau Ma Tei killed five people and injured 43 others in April.

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A blaze at New Lucky House killed five people in April. Photo: Jelly Tse
Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong woman dies, husband in coma after alleged fire murder-suicide bid

Pair found with serious burns in smoke-filled Mid-Levels flat; husband suspected of murder-suicide attempt.

Belmont Court on Kotewall Road in Hong Kong’s upscale Mid-Levels neighbourhood. Photo: Google Maps
Animal welfare in Hong Kong

71 cats found dead after fire at house in Hong Kong’s New Territories

Investigation by Fire Services Department suggests blaze had been caused by short circuit in air-conditioning system.

Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong woman living in subdivided flat killed in tenement building fire

Victim, 45, found lying unconscious in her room after firefighters put out blaze at building on Mong Kok’s Fa Yuen Street on Sunday morning.

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Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong asylum seekers returning to blaze-hit New Lucky House denied aid

Some asylum seekers say they did not receive financial and other help given to New Lucky House fire victims.

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A deadly fire ripped through the building in April, killing five and injuring 43 others. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Accidents and personal safety

Fire safety violations still rampant in Hong Kong, checks find after deadly blaze

Authorities issue 600 warnings about blocked escape routes and open fire doors after inspecting over 200 buildings following blaze that killed five in Jordan last month.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Enforcement must back fire safety penalties

Stiffer fines need to be followed by resolute action so that society takes fire prevention more seriously.

Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong firefighters investigate after toxic and flammable gas leak in New Territories

Government warns nearby residents to close windows and doors and to stay calm after leak of toxic and flammable gas in New Territories in early hours of Sunday.

A remote-controlled jet of water douses a tank which leaked gas from toxic and flammable styrene in Kowloon in the early hours of Sunday. Photo: Facebook/FSD
Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong worker, 61, suffers major burns in factory fire; 3 others escape

More than 160 firefighters and paramedics mobilised to extinguish high-intensity blaze in Yuen Long.

The factory in Yuen Long contained a large quantity of plastic hoses that caused dense smoke. Photo: Facebook
Accidents and personal safety

Opinion | How to fix fire safety in Hong Kong’s ageing buildings

The latest wake-up call was a deadly fire in a 60-year-old building that had failed to comply with fire safety orders for years. One way to solve the problem is for the authorities to directly engage contractors to carry out repairs and then charge building owners a high premium.

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Hong Kong society

Exclusive | Hong Kong buys its biggest self-righting fireboat that recovers in 6 seconds

Insider tells Post that boat’s recent tests at Taiwanese port, which included capsizing, went well.

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Hong Kong housing

Opinion | Tougher fire safety laws will not work without fixing social problems

The deadly blaze at New Lucky House that killed five people and injured 43 shows that fire safety laws will not save residents unless they are enforced. While amending the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance is a good start, Hong Kong must also address residents’ economic woes and tensions among stakeholders.

Residents congregate after a fire broke out at New Lucky House in Hong Kong’s Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood on April 10. Photo: Jelly Tse
Accidents and personal safety

Deadly Hong Kong blaze prompts switch of fire safety focus to ‘high-risk’ sites

Development chief Bernadette Linn Hon-ho reveals plan after city leader pledges to review enforcement priorities for buildings failing to comply with fire safety orders.

A worker carries out repairs at fire-damaged New Lucky House. Photo: Jelly Tse
Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong to speed up on tougher laws to punish those who flout fire safety orders

City leader John Lee says Security Bureau told to table legal amendments for Legco in two to three months, week after fire at New Lucky House left five dead.

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Hong Kong housing

Opinion | Hong Kong must enforce safety rules before more buildings go up in flames

Latest fire at New Lucky House broke out after building owners were allowed to ignore safety orders for 16 years. Inspections and advisory letters are not enough. There must be real enforcement

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