Voltage dip spanning parts of Hong Kong’s New Territories traps at least 20 people in lifts, sets off fire alarms
- Video circulating online shows huge cloud of smoke billowing from an electrical substation owned by CLP Power
- The electricity firm apologises for what it calls equipment malfunction, saying the activation of a protective system may have suspended some installations sensitive to voltage changes, such as lifts
A voltage dip across parts of Hong Kong’s New Territories trapped more than a dozen residents in lifts and set off fire alarms on New Year’s Day.
Electricity company CLP Power apologised for what it called an equipment malfunction at one of its electrical substations on Monday, saying protective devices that were activated afterwards might have subsequently suspended some installations that were sensitive to voltage changes, such as lifts.
Investigations into the cause of the incident were continuing. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department told CLP to submit a report on the incident within four weeks.
The Fire Services Department said it had received at least 20 reports of people trapped in lifts between 3.13pm and 3.55pm in Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi, Ma On Shan and Sha Tin. Another five fire incident reports were also filed in Tsing Yi.
Firefighters conducted rescue operations for those trapped in the lifts.
A video circulating online showed a huge cloud of smoke billowing from the electrical substation on Nga Ying Chau Street in Tsing Yi, owned by CLP Power and surrounded by a few residential estates.
Officers found no signs of smoke or fire when they arrived at the scene.