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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Man sent to hospital, about 100 evacuated in fire at Mong Kok building’s podium
A man was sent to hospital as he inhaled smoke and felt unwell after a fire broke out at a podium on the second floor of a Mong Kok building on Saturday morning with multiple explosions.
The case was reported by a 61-year-old man surnamed Leung at 11.11am today as he heard a loud bang from the podium on 2/F of Hung Fai Building on Tung Choi Street and found it on fire upon inspection.
The blaze reached the third and fourth floors, and black smoke billowed into the air, affecting many households.
About 100 residents evacuated onto the street, and a 41-year-old man surnamed Lee was sent to Kwong Wah Hospital, suspectedly after inhaling the smoke from the fire.
Firefighters later confirmed the fire was put out at 12.54pm, and the scene was about eight meters by 12 meters. Ninety-two residents evacuated to safer places on their own, and eight were rescued on different floors.
The sundries located at the podium were charred while the cause of the fire and if the podium is an unauthorized building work has yet to be confirmed by further investigations.
It was understood that the podium involved was originally a restaurant but had been shuttered for quite a while. Some residents suspected someone threw cigarette butts down, accidentally set the canopy on fire, and started the blaze.
A restaurant nearby also closed the shop for the day after evacuating diners and staffers. The operator recalled that the fire was burning fiercely, and at least 10 explosions could be heard, drawing a great crowd of speculators.
The blaze reached the third and fourth floors, and black smoke billowed into the air, affecting many households.
About 100 residents evacuated onto the street, and a 41-year-old man surnamed Lee was sent to Kwong Wah Hospital, suspectedly after inhaling the smoke from the fire.
Firefighters later confirmed the fire was put out at 12.54pm, and the scene was about eight meters by 12 meters. Ninety-two residents evacuated to safer places on their own, and eight were rescued on different floors.
The sundries located at the podium were charred while the cause of the fire and if the podium is an unauthorized building work has yet to be confirmed by further investigations.
It was understood that the podium involved was originally a restaurant but had been shuttered for quite a while. Some residents suspected someone threw cigarette butts down, accidentally set the canopy on fire, and started the blaze.
A restaurant nearby also closed the shop for the day after evacuating diners and staffers. The operator recalled that the fire was burning fiercely, and at least 10 explosions could be heard, drawing a great crowd of speculators.
