At least 5 people were killed and 35 others were injured after a fire broke out in a high-rise building in Hong Kong (China) on the morning of April 10.
Fire scene. Photo: SCMP
Theo SCMP, firefighters quickly arrived at the scene after receiving a fire report at the New Lucky House building on Jordan Street at 7:53 am. This is a 16-storey apartment building combined with a commercial center, built in 1964, with 240 apartments.
Witnesses said rescuers rescued people trapped in the gym on the first floor of the building.
Some people stood at the windows waving white towels to signal before rescuers rescued them using ladders.
A resident on the fourth floor of the building told local media that the fire alarm woke her up, and she immediately saw a room filled with thick smoke.
“I ran downstairs but realized the fire below was worse,” she said. The fire forced her to rush to a higher floor and wait for rescue.
The fire was basically controlled about an hour later.
Trapped people wait to be rescued. Photo: SCMP
To date, at least 5 people have been confirmed dead and 35 others are injured. The injured were taken to five hospitals.
A government spokesman said five women in the group taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital were in critical condition.
The fire is classified as alert level 3. In Hong Kong (China), fires are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 depending on severity.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Minh Hanh
Theo SCMP
