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| One of the women injured in the North Point fire is a Filipina (Photo from TheStandard) |
Hong Kong Police have confirmed that a 32-year-old
Filipina was among four people injured in a pre-dawn fire that broke out in a
subdivided flat in North Point earlier today.
She was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital unconscious,
and her current condition is unknown. Officers at the Migrant Workers Office of
the Philippine Consulate say they were not told about the incident earlier,
but are now already checking on her identity and condition.
The area where the fire occurred has a number of subdivided flats rented out to Filipino domestic helpers.
The three other injured victims, two men aged 22 and 35, and
another woman aged 29, are all local Chinese residents.
A police spokesperson dismissed earlier reports that
the fire was a suspected arson attack, saying it appeared to have been ignited by debris inside the flat.
“At this stage, there is no evidence that the case
involves criminal elements. The police and relevant departments will continue
to investigate the cause of the fire, said the police.
Earlier reports suggested the fire was caused by an
arson attack, as some flammable materials were found at the site.
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| The fire broke out in a subdivided flat in this building (RTHK photo) |
The fire at Ying Wong House at 153 King’s Road was
reported to police at around 2:45am, after the 35-year-old man managed to get
to a window ledge and shouted for help. Firefighters used a ladder to
pluck him to safety and took him to Ruttonjee Hospital.
The three others who lived in separate units in the
flat were found unconscious. The younger woman and man were both taken to
Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan.
Reports said firefighters managed to extinguish the
fire at 3:19am, or about 30 minutes after the alarm was sounded.
Photos taken from the scene showed some of the
victims being rushed to hospital with burn injuries.
The first patient was found to have blackened face
and arms, and he told reporters at the scene that he fled after seeing the flat
enveloped in heavy smoke. He said he could not open the door so he decided to
climb out the window.
Firefighters provided him with an oxygen mask after
he complained of difficulty in breathing.
The three others who were unconscious reportedly only
had superficial injuries, and were given cardio pulmonary resuscitation before
being sent off to hospitals.
Reports further said the flat was divided into four
units, and the fire started in the only vacant unit near the door.
The case has been transferred to police
investigators and other concerned departments for further investigation.
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