Latest news with #FireServicesDepartment
The Star
30-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Firefighters put out Hong Kong warehouse blaze that raged for over 20 hours
An intense fire which blazed for more than 20 hours at a Hong Kong warehouse has been largely extinguished. In an update at around 11.30am on Wednesday, the Fire Services Department said the blaze at the warehouse on Ha Tsuen Road in Tin Shui Wai was largely put out at around 10am. Firefighters were still watering the site to lower the temperature and prevent reignition. The department earlier said that the fire had been contained at 6.12am, but efforts to put it out continued. The fire broke out at 12.40pm on Tuesday and was upgraded to a No 3 alarm fire less than an hour later at 1.33pm. Items stored at the warehouse included electrical appliances and clothes, among others. The fire was 'intense', covering an area of 200 metres (656 feet) by 200 metres, with temperatures reaching nearly 550 degrees Celsius, according to the department. More than 200 people were evacuated or forced to run for safety. Residents in Shenzhen's neighbouring districts of Nanshan and Futian also reported seeing smoke and smelling a strong odour due to the blaze. A warehouse staff member, 53, suffered second-degree burns to his neck and back due to the blaze, while a firefighter was overwhelmed by smoke. Both were sent to hospital. A No 3 alarm indicates a serious fire spanning multiple floors or buildings, with flames likely to become more dangerous due to the potential presence of hazardous materials or rapid development. The warning typically means that around 15 to 20 fire engines and about 100 firefighters are working to bring the blaze under control.
South China Morning Post
28-05-2025
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Firefighters working to put out Hong Kong warehouse blaze raging for 19 hours
Firefighters are still working to extinguish an intense blaze which has been burning for more than 19 hours at a Hong Kong warehouse, according to authorities. In an update at around 8am on Wednesday, the Fire Services Department said the fire at the warehouse on Ha Tsuen Road in Tin Shui Wai was contained at 6.12am, but efforts to put it out continued. The fire broke out at 12.40pm on Tuesday and was upgraded to a No 3 alarm fire less than an hour later at 1.33pm. Items stored at the warehouse included electrical appliances and clothes, among others. The fire broke out at around 12.40pm on Tuesday. Photo: Handout The fire was 'intense', covering an area of 200 metres (656 feet) by 200 metres, with temperatures reaching nearly 550 degrees Celsius, according to the department.
South China Morning Post
28-05-2025
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Firefighters working to put out Hong Kong warehouse blaze raging for 19 hours
Firefighters are still working to extinguish an intense blaze which has been burning for more than 19 hours at a Hong Kong warehouse, according to authorities. Advertisement In an update at around 8am on Wednesday, the Fire Services Department said the fire at the warehouse on Ha Tsuen Road in Tin Shui Wai was contained at 6.12am, but efforts to put it out continued. The fire broke out at 12.40pm on Tuesday and was upgraded to a No 3 alarm fire less than an hour later at 1.33pm. Items stored at the warehouse included electrical appliances and clothes, among others. The fire broke out at around 12.40pm on Tuesday. Photo: Handout The fire was 'intense', covering an area of 200 metres (656 feet) by 200 metres, with temperatures reaching nearly 550 degrees Celsius, according to the department.
South China Morning Post
27-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Dozens of firefighters battle No 3 alarm fire at Hong Kong warehouse
Firefighters are battling a No 3 alarm fire at a Hong Kong warehouse, with at least one person sent to hospital and nearby residents urged to close their doors and windows amid heavy smoke. The Fire Services Department said the blaze broke out on Ha Tsuen Road in Tin Shui Wai at 12.40pm on Tuesday and was upgraded to No 3 alarm less than an hour later at 1.33pm. 'The Fire Services Department is currently engaged in firefighting operations,' a spokesman said. 'Residents affected by smoke and odours carried by the wind are advised to close their windows and doors, and remain calm.' About 100 firefighters are currently trying to bring a No 3 alarm fire under control. Photo: Handout A government spokesman said that so far, one person had been sent to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Hyderabad fire: Staircase filled with smoke blocked escape
The building that caught fire near historic Charminar here on Sunday, resulting in the death of 17 people, had only one staircase, which was filled with smoke, blocking the escape for the victims, a top official said. Since the fire started on the ground floor, smoke and heat quickly reached upper floors, blocking the only available access, which was just one metre wide, the official said. The narrow staircase is centrally located inside the building. It was near to supposed seat of fire due to which the stairwell was completely filled with smoke and excessive heat. "The only access on the ground floor was completely filled with bikes blocking the same, and also provided enough fuel to the fire," Telangana State Fire Services, Disaster Response, Emergency, and Civil Defence Director General Y. Nagi Reddy said. The official stated that there were no windows/doors facing the available road to use the hydraulic platform and quick ventilation. To save time and to rescue trapped persons quickly, while firefighting was going on on the ground floor, firefighters had to drill a hole in a wall on the first floor to enter and start rescue and firefighting operations. Eight children and five women were among 17 people killed in the fire, which broke out in the building in Gulzar Houz. The building had pearls/jewellery shops on the ground floor, while a few families were residing on the first and second floors. According to Nagi Reddy, a fire call was received at 6.16 p.m. and a water tender from Moghalpura reached the fire ground at 6.20 a.m. District Fire Officer-1 Hyderabad Venkanna got injured during the firefighting operation and was admitted to the hospital. A total of 11 fire engines were used. A fire robot was brought, but could not be used due to the situation on the ground. Seventeen fire officers and 70 personnel participated in the operation. Eight personnel wore Breathing Apparatus (BA) sets and rescued 17 persons. Four people were rescued from the terrace using two ladders. One ladder from the second terrace to the first terrace and another from the first terrace to the ground. Nagi Reddy came out with details of the firefighting operations, apparently to counter Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy's claim that there was a delay on the part of the Fire Services Department in responding to the situation and that personnel lacked equipment and gear to rescue the trapped people. Personnel from the fire services, police, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), and the Health and Revenue departments participated in the rescue and relief. Nagi Reddy stated that because of the timely response and action by the Fire Department, the spread of fire to adjacent properties was prevented and further loss of lives and property was averted. The suspected cause of the fire is under investigation, the official added.
