Collapsed flame tree damages roof of old Hong Kong temple

A 10-metre decayed tree fell in Wan Chai yesterday, hitting the historic Pak Tai Temple. No injuries were reported.

The tree, planted on a concrete slope down from Kennedy Road, collapsed at around 11am. It left at least two holes in the temple roof. The structure, built more than 150 years ago, was listed as a grade 1 historical building by the Antiquities Advisory Board.

Ken So Kwok-yin, chief executive of the Conservancy Association, said judging from the photos he saw online, he believed the tree had been suffering from a severe fungal infection.

He said the tree could have been removed earlier to stop it falling. "It's quite rare there are no leaves on the tree and only a few branches, suggesting the tree was in a bad condition," So said.

"If the tree had been inspected, the problems could have been identified easily … More evaluations could have been carried out and the tree could have been removed."

He added it was undesirable to plant the tree on a concrete slope, as it would be difficult for it to absorb water and oxygen.