2 Hong Kong firefighters injured while battling third-alarm blaze at recycling yard, warehouses in New Territories
- Thirty-six people evacuated after blaze breaks out at 1.10pm in Lau Fau Shan
- Firefighters suffered minor facial injuries when LPG cylinder exploded nearby as they were laying out a hosepipe
Two Hong Kong firefighters were injured on Tuesday while battling a blaze at a recycling yard and two warehouses in the northwestern New Territories that prompted the evacuation of almost 40 people.
Police said the blaze broke out at the yard on Deep Bay Road in Lau Fau Shan at around 1.10pm, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. The fire soon spread to two warehouses nearby, affecting an area of 120 metres by 65 metres.
The blaze was upgraded to a third-alarm fire 10 minutes later. Fires in the city are rated on a five-point scale according to their severity.
The force received multiple calls reporting the fire, a police spokeswoman said, adding 36 people were evacuated from the affected areas.
She said the two injured firefighters were taken to Tin Shui Wai Hospital.
Two firefighters suffered minor facial injuries when an LPG cylinder exploded nearby as they were laying out a hosepipe to bring water from a source 600 metres from the scene.
The pair were taken to Tin Shui Wai Hospital and one was subsequently discharged after treatment. The other firefighter was listed as stable, the department said.
It said the cause of the blaze had yet to be established, but more than 200 firefighters and paramedics were deployed along with 43 fire engines and seven ambulances.
No other injuries were reported. The fire had largely been put out by 6.34pm.
The department earlier advised those affected by “the smoke and the unusual odour carried by the wind” to close their doors and windows and stay calm.
