Haul of flammable solution capable of producing dozens of firebombs found hidden in Hong Kong boutique

Five plastic jerrycans of paint thinner and cans of petrol were found along with empty bottles, gas canisters and protective gear in Wan Chai

Four men were also arrested from various areas over firebombing police station, with officers finding boutique run by family of one of the suspects

Reading Time:2 minutes

The haul of items seized from the Wan Chai boutique. Photo: Handout

Published: 10:10pm, 26 May 2020Updated: 12:22am, 27 May 2020

A haul of flammable solution that could produce dozens of firebombs and be used to attack police in anti-government protests was found hidden in a Hong Kong boutique, a senior officer said on Tuesday.

Five plastic jerrycans of paint thinner and several cans of petrol were discovered along with more than 20 empty bottles, 20 gas canisters and some protective gear such as gas masks and goggles in a boutique in Wan Chai at about 10am, assistant Wan Chai district commander (crime) Superintendent Kwan Chung-yin said.

The dangerous goods were discovered when officers arrested suspects in connection with a firebomb attack at Happy Valley Police Station on March 30.

At about 2.15am that day, three black-clad men got off a car on Kwai Fong Street and hurled three bombs at the police station’s car park.

The fire burned out before firefighters could arrive. The fourth flaming projectile landed on Kwai Fong Street, leaving a parked car blackened. No one was injured in the incident. The three men fled in the same car, driven by another person, after launching the attack.

The boutique in Wan Chai was being run by the family of one of the suspects involved in firebombing Happy Valley Police Station on March 30. Photo: Handout