Faulty appliance sparks fire at Hong Kong housing estate, prompting 300 to flee

A fire believed to have been caused by a short circuit in a household appliance broke out at a Hong Kong public housing estate in east Kowloon, prompting more than 300 residents to flee their flats.

Police on Thursday reported receiving multiple calls about a fire at Lam Wai House in Lam Tin Estate, at around 6.55pm.

The force said about 300 residents evacuated on their own.

Preliminary investigations indicated the fire was triggered by a short circuit in an electrical appliance.

Footage circulating online showed a unit on the lower floors of the estate engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing from the window.

The fire alarm could be heard ringing as the flames spread upward towards the air-conditioning unit on the exterior of the flat.