Hong Kong witnesses one of city’s deadliest blazes in years. The Post shares basics for escaping a burning building
- Fire at New Lucky House left five dead, including one suspected of jumping from 16-storey building in bid to escape blaze
- Knowing your exits and staying calm is key to getting out of a burning building, but decision to hunker down means assessing risks and keeping smoke out
Hong Kong has witnessed one of its deadliest fires in recent years after five people died and another 43 were injured when a blaze broke out at a 60-year-old building on Wednesday.
Firefighters rushed to the scene at New Lucky House in Yau Ma Tei once reports started coming in at 7.53am.
Confused tenants at the residential and commercial building later recalled waking up to thick smoke that made it hard to see or even breathe, while others said they never heard any fire alarms go off.
Meanwhile, authorities have said one of the five fatalities is suspected to have jumped off the 16-storey building in a bid to escape the blaze and was found on the first-floor podium.
The Post explores what lessons can be learned from the tragedy and how you can escape from a burning building.
What are the basics?
Preparation is essential. Familiarise yourself with your building’s exits and escape routes. Make sure stairways and passages are not blocked off or sealed.
In the event of a fire, it is important to stay calm to ensure you can react appropriately.
If a blaze breaks out in your flat or immediate space, alert everyone there and tell them to get out quickly. If there is a break-glass unit in the corridor, break it and activate the fire alarm.
Escape using the nearest and safest hallways and stairways. Avoid using routes heavily affected by smoke. Do not use any lifts.
When you are safe, dial “999” to report the fire.
If possible, the Fire Services Department recommends bringing three key items – your mobile phone, keys and a wet towel.
What if the fire is coming from downstairs?
While evacuating a burning building should always be the first course of action and the ultimate goal, it may not be possible in certain situations.
If fire or smoke is coming from below, you may need to head to your building’s rooftops for temporary refuge.
Lam Kin-kwan, commander of the Fire Services Department’s Kowloon South division, said people should first check the severity of any smoke in a stairwell, and switch paths if it is too heavy.
“Because the smoke often contains toxic substances when inhaled, such as carbon monoxide, which can easily cause suffocation, burns or poisoning, or lead to unconsciousness,” he said.
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Hong Kong fire kills 5, injures dozens in Kowloon commercial and residential building
Staying put?
If the smoke has become too thick, try to find your way back to your home or another safe place.
Close the door and seal the gaps with duct tape and wet towels or tissues to keep out the smoke. Tell emergency services of your exact location to ensure your speedy rescue.
Stay by the balcony or a space with the least amount of smoke. When you are safe, try to catch the attention of rescuers by signalling with a towel or a bedsheet.
Hong Kong building where deadly fire erupted is warren of flats and businesses
Which materials are fire hazards?
The Fire Services Department does not recommend storing highly flammable objects at home, such as petrol, kerosene and thinners.
During renovations, materials such as paints, thinners and other flammable liquids should also be handled with care.
If you have recently used a polyurethane polish in your house or workspace, open all your windows to help dissipate the flammable gas before turning on the power or lighting a fire.
In the aftermath of the fire at New Lucky House, authorities said they suspected an abundance of plastic materials left over from construction work and large amounts of other waste, such as plastic bags, could have contributed to the heavy smoke.
Fire in old Hong Kong building kills at least 5, injures 43 others
How to prepare for or prevent a fire?
In addition to knowing your escape routes and keeping them clear, the Fire Services Department encourages building tenants to attend safety seminars and drills.
Occupants should also install individual smoke detectors and keep a portable extinguisher for small fires.
Ensure smoke doors are unlocked and unobstructed but shut.
Fire service installations should be inspected at least once a year, and repaired immediately if they are damaged or not working properly.
