Flying service barred from city blazes after probe finds they pushed smoke into

Helicopters will be kept away from city-centre blazes after Garley Building fire investigators found they had hindered the rescue.

Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, who headed the commission of inquiry, said the down draught generated by two helicopters pushed smoke back into the offices where people were gasping for breath.

'Some occupants trapped in the office even called 999 to ask the helicopters to leave,' Mr Justice Woo said after releasing the interim report on the inferno which killed 40 last November.

Four people trapped on the corner of the rooftop were winched to safety by a helicopter. Crewman Ronald So Chi-yip received the Queen's Commendation for his bravery which almost certainly saved their lives.

However, in his 174-page report, Mr Justice Woo said the helicopters of the Government Flying Service (GFS) had also obstructed the firefighting and rescue operation. 'The downwash might have driven fresh air into the building and thus further fuelled the fire,' the report said.

'It had also affected the operation of an aerial ladder, which did not only delay the operation but might have endangered lives.' The report said a fireman had feared the ladder, which held two women just rescued, might collapse when it became frozen in the air for about one minute.