North Point MTR service resumes after fire

Rail service at the North Point MTR station resumed at around 1pm on Thursday after a fire near a platform screen door disrupted service to the station for about 2½ hours.

But the screen doors at the station's platform 3 still could not be closed. As a result, MTR employees are standing on the platform reminding passengers about the problem.

Some passengers said it was still dangerous and that the MTR should not have resumed services until the screen doors were back in operation.

The fire started at 10.23am, forcing the evacuation of about 300 commuters from the station. Signs inside the station at the time read: “Serious incident, please leave the station.”

Eight fire engines and one ambulance were deployed to the scene from the Sai Wan Ho and Tung Lo Wan fire stations. The Fire Services Department said it was a second-alarm fire.

“Initial investigation showed a small fire broke out at the screen door at the No 3 platform,” a spokesman for the Fire Services Department said.

He said firefighters used a carbon-dioxide extinguisher to douse the flames. No casualties were reported.

Due to the “station fire”, MTR services on both directions of Tseung Kwan O Line between North Point and Tiu Keng Leng were suspended, according to Transport Department.

“MTR services on both bounds of Island Line will not stop at North Point station,” it said.

The Kowloon Motor Bus, Citybus and New World First Bus were asked to monitor bus passenger demand.

“The bus companies will strengthen bus services as appropriate when necessary,” the department said.

At 11.30am, two firefighters and engineers were seen climbing up ladders to inspect the space above a screen door in the Lohas Park-bound platform in the station.

Firemen are investigating the cause of the incident.