A Housing Department employee was fighting for his life last night after setting himself alight in his office in Lai Yiu Estate, Kwai Chung.

Tong Chi-kwong, 40, responsible for minor repairs at the estate, was said to have been depressed over the possibility of losing his job.

Alliance of Housing Department Staff Unions convenor Lam Man-cheuk, said: 'His colleagues told me he was very upset recently, worrying he might be fired due to the privatisation scheme.' Police were called at 11.25am when smoke was seen coming from a locked changing room. The victim, taken to Princess Margaret Hospital with 80 per cent burns, was in a critical condition last night.