HONG KONG, Oct 19 — Two men remain in critical condition following a fire that tore through scaffolding at Chinachem Tower on Connaught Road in Central, Hong Kong yesterday, authorities said.
The Standard reported that the 23-year-old man, surnamed Ngai, and 55-year-old man, surnamed Lam, were rushed to hospital suffering from breathing difficulties after being overcome by smoke.
Two other people — 65-year-old Chung and 35-year-old Yeung — sustained injuries but are in stable condition.
One of the injured was trapped in a lift during the blaze, while another man suffered head injuries, the Hong Kong-based English daily added.
Fire crews received the alert at 4.24pm and arrived four minutes later to find the building’s exterior encased in scaffolding for renovation, which had already begun to burn.
Flames spread rapidly to adjacent buildings, prompting authorities to upgrade the fire from a No.1 to a No.3 alarm within minutes.
A total of 56 people — 49 men and 7 women — evacuated safely on their own, police said.
The Fire Services Department has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and its rapid escalation.
Deputy Divisional Commander Lo Shui-sang of the Fire Services Department questioned the rapid spread of the fire, asking, “Why did the scaffolding ignite and burn so quickly? This is one of the key directions we are focusing on in our probe. When we first arrived at the scene, the scaffolding was already almost completely burnt through,” according to RTHK.
The blaze was contained by 5.46pm, brought under control by 7pm, and largely extinguished by 9.13pm.
Firefighters deployed 36 fire engines, 15 ambulances, 184 personnel, four water jets, four breathing apparatus teams, two hydraulic water towers, and drones to monitor the fire’s spread.
Officers from the Buildings Department were also dispatched to the scene, while some nearby fast-food restaurants and convenience stores remained closed following the incident.
