Second firefighter dies in Ngau Tau Kok blaze as precautionary evacuation measures put in place
Firefighter was one of three taken to hospital on Thursday, while government prepares buses and community centres to provide transport and shelter should evacuation be needed
A second firefighter has died battling the city’s longest-running blaze in two decades, while two others were taken to hospital with serious injuries on Thursday evening.
Senior fireman Samuel Hui Chi-kit, 37, from Kwun Tong fire station died after being taken to hospital on Thursday while senior station officer Thomas Cheung, 30, died battling the fire on Tuesday. A total of 11 others have been taken to hospital since the fire broke out.
The government also announced that several double-decker buses and two community centres in Kwun Tong and Lam Tin were on standby to provide transport and shelter for affected residents near the Ngau Tau Kok industrial building, where a fourth-alarm fire has been burning since 11am on Tuesday.
On Thursday afternoon, Citybus confirmed the government had hired two of their buses, which were seen parked in Kowloon Bay – a short distance from the scene.
“Arrangements will be announced by the government,” a Citybus spokeswoman said.
The police force’s insiders told the Post police had also made preparations in case of evacuation.
“Officers from the Police Tactical Unit are ready to be deployed to evacuate affected residents and cordon off the area,” one source said.