20 dogs, 4 cats killed after possible air conditioner fault causes Hong Kong fire
Firefighters deploy jet and breathing apparatus team to extinguish flames at site, reportedly an animal breeding facility
More than 20 dogs and cats have been killed in a fire in a Hong Kong village suspected to have been caused by a malfunctioning air conditioner.
The blaze broke out at about 3.50pm on Wednesday at a tin-sheet structure in Sheung Yau Tin Tsuen in Yuen Long, off Long Ho Road.
Firefighters deployed a jet and a breathing apparatus team to extinguish the flames at the site, which was reportedly an animal breeding facility.
The fire killed 20 dogs and 4 cats, while no human injuries were reported.
Another 34 dogs were rescued.
Several firefighters were seen kneeling on the ground, urgently working to revive the animals.
Police said a preliminary investigation suggested the fire might have been caused by a short circuit in an air-conditioning unit.