Hong Kong’s fire authorities are investigating the cause of a blaze that broke out in a historic barbershop featured in boy band Mirror’s latest music video.
The Fire Services Department on Sunday said it was following up on the incident that injured two people at the traditional Shanghai-style venue.
Police received reports concerning a fire at the barbershop in Choi Hung Estate at 11.40pm on Saturday.
A 28-year-old man, surnamed Lam, injured his finger while pulling a fire hosepipe as he tried to extinguish the blaze. A 21-year-old woman was left feeling unwell after inhaling smoke. Neither required hospital treatment.
The half-a-century-old Wah Lai Beauty Parlour, one of the last remaining traditional barber shops in the city, resumed business on Sunday.
Some staff members were seen cleaning up the mess left behind by the fire, but they shrugged off the incident, saying only the shop’s storage area located in a back alley was affected.
The storeroom’s walls, along with some wooden stools and a washing machine, were left blackened by the fire.
Yuen Shiu-yung, 62, a minibus driver who lives in nearby Kam Pik House, said he saw smoke coming out from the site on his way home from work at around 11.45pm on Saturday night.
“I just walked by the store and saw people standing and watching. Firefighters were walking in and out. I personally did not see the fire,” Yuen said.
Chan Tsui-hang, 51, a homemaker who lives in Chui King House, opposite the barbershop, said she was woken up by the smell and noises around the same time.
“I went down and saw firefighters holding a hosepipe inside the barbershop with at least 20 people nearby watching. Luckily the store closes early usually,” she said.
The traditional establishment’s nostalgic interior – featuring decades-old original chairs and vintage floor tiles – has made it a popular scene for shooting films.
It was also used in the music video for “Rumours”, the first English language song by popular Cantopop boy band Mirror, released in March and marking their debut attempt to enter the international market.
The barbershop had also put up a poster featuring Mirror’s music video on its shop front to attract customers.