200 evacuated after suspected arson attack on shops

About 200 residents were evacuated from a public housing block in Homantin early yesterday when ground-floor shops burst into flames after a suspected arson attack. They fled 18-storey Chung Man House on Oi Man Estate at 3.20am. The blaze spread to a further seven shops and a rubbish collection centre.

Firemen used four water jets and three teams of officers with breathing apparatus to put out the fire. A 38-year-old woman suffering smoke inhalation was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The investigation has been handed over to the police.