Lit cigarette suspected to have caused flat fire that killed Hong Kong woman
Blaze reported at flat in Lung Hei House at around 10.30am, with woman certified dead in hospital
A Hong Kong woman died shortly after being pulled from a blazing flat at a public housing estate on Tuesday, with a preliminary investigation finding that a lit cigarette caused the fire.
A security guard called emergency services about the blaze in Lung Hei House at Lower Wong Tai Sin Estate at around 10.30am. The fire was put out in under half an hour.
The victim, in her sixties, was taken to Kwong Wah Hospital in Yau Ma Tei with burns on her face and hands. She was certified dead around noon.
“According to our preliminary investigation, it is believed that a cigarette butt accidentally ignited the mattress in the bedroom, causing the fire,” police said.
The force said the cause of death could only be confirmed after an autopsy.
About 40 residents were evacuated from the building.