Hong Kong fire attack brings back memories of 2004 rush-hour MTR explosion
On January 5, 2004, 14 people were injured and 1,200 evacuated at Admiralty station when an elderly man started a fire on a packed train
Unlike Friday’s case, in 2004 the arsonist fled the scene leaving behind five bottles of paint thinner and five 250 gram cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas. He was later caught and sentenced to life in prison.
According to news reports from that time, the arsonist started the blaze aboard the first compartment of the Tsuen Wan line train as it crossed from Tsim Sha Tsui to Admiralty at 9.12am. He used newspapers, a lighter and a bottle of mineral turpentine, causing an explosion. It was considered the first such attack in the railway’s 25-year history.
“Panicked passengers fled through the train, some in tears and others barefoot, having left shoes, bags and clothes in the blackened compartment,” a piece by the South China Morning Post described.
Fourteen people, aged between two and 54, were injured, but all were released from hospital after treatment on the same day, according to news reports.