Arson investigation launched over Hong Kong water activities club fire that left man severely burned
- CCTV footage reveals former employee entered club at around 6.12am, damaged signboard and two surveillance cameras
- Man, 48, rushed to hospital with burns to limbs and face
Hong Kong police launched an investigation after a fire broke out at the TLC Water Club that left a man severely burned on Friday.
Emergency personnel were called to the club on Tai Lam Chung Road in Tuen Mun when the force received multiple fire reports at around 6.24am.
A police spokesman said the man, 48, suffered serious burns to his limbs and face. He was found semi-conscious at the scene but later fell unconscious and was rushed to Tuen Mun Hospital.
Firefighters took about 20 minutes to extinguish the flames.
A speedboat and jet ski at the club’s boat office were damaged in the blaze.
A fire accelerant was discovered at the scene, while the signboard and two surveillance cameras were damaged, according to the spokesman.
He said two cigarette lighters were found on the injured man.
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A source familiar with the case said the man was a former employee of the club who was laid off about a month ago.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the man demanded compensation from his employer, which led to a financial dispute between them,” the insider said.
He said that according to security camera footage, the ex-staff member entered the club at around 6.12am and damaged the signboard and two surveillance cameras. A CCTV camera then captured one of the boats catching fire.
The source also said the man was one of those who reported the fire to police.
He added that the suspect had not been arrested as he remained unconscious in hospital.
According to the force, officers from the Tuen Mun criminal investigation unit were treating the case as arson and criminal damage.
