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Ng Kang-chung

Jess Ma

Harvey Kong

Firefighters have extinguished a blaze at the Chinachem Tower in Hong Kong’s central business district after a battle that lasted for more than four hours, with at least four people injured.
Huge flames erupted when the scaffolding along the building caught fire on Saturday afternoon, sending up thick plumes of smoke that were visible from Kowloon across Victoria Harbour.
At least four people were rescued after being trapped inside the tower.
According to authorities, 36 firefighting vehicles, 15 ambulances and 184 paramedics and firefighters were deployed to the scene. Drones were also used to monitor the blaze.


The Fire Services Department said it received reports of a fire at No 34-37 Connaught Road Central, the address of the tower, at about 4.24pm. The severity of the fire was quickly upgraded.
“The Fire Services Department found on site that the building had scaffolding and repair works were being carried out,” Divisional Officer Lo Shui-sang said.
“The fire spread very quickly along the scaffolding and was very strong.
“As the flames were affecting the building across from the tower and we had also received requests for help from residents, eight minutes after we reached the scene, we upgraded the fire to a No 3 alarm fire, so we could deploy additional resources on site to conduct firefighting and rescue work.”
Hong Kong uses a five-stage alarm system to rate the severity of a fire, with No 5 the most serious level.
The blaze was largely put out by 9.13pm, according to the department.
Lo said a dedicated team would be established to determine the cause of the fire. Authorities would also investigate how it spread throughout the scaffolding so quickly.

The department said 58 people were evacuated, and firefighters rescued four people from inside the building.
Three were trapped on the 23rd floor and another was discovered by firefighters in a stairwell on their way to rescue the trio.
They also rescued a woman on the 15th floor of an adjacent building, and first responders assisted a man who was inside a lift on its first floor.
Authorities said four people were injured in the blaze. The man found in the stairwell sustained the most serious injuries, suffering a head wound and breathing difficulties due to smoke inhalation.
Pictures and videos circulated online showed flames engulfing the scaffolding and black smoke billowing from the tower. The smoke reached into the sky, veiled parts of nearby streets and was visible across the harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Some media reports said explosions were also heard.

“The fire was very big,” an onlooker surnamed Wong told local media. “There was ash everywhere. And the whole area was full of a burnt smell.”
A man who works in an office on the 16th floor of the tower, surnamed Sin, recalled his escape.
“I only saw smoke [from the windows],” he said. “At first, the street downstairs could still be seen. Soon after, nothing could be seen, just smoke.
“Then, people shouted ‘run’, and I ran too.”
The blaze also forced the closure of all westbound lanes of Connaught Road Central near Pedder Street.
All lanes of Des Voeux Road Central between Queen Victoria Street and Pottinger Street were also closed. The Transport Department asked drivers to use alternative routes, and avoid heading to Central.
The force said that the roads closed due to the fire would be gradually reopened to the public.

At least 52 KMB and Citybus bus routes and tram services passing through the affected road sections had to be diverted, the department said.
Completed in 1966, Chinachem Tower is a 25-storey commercial building comprising office units and retail shops on its lower levels. It is located about a three‑minute walk from Central MTR station.


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Chinachem Tower blaze in Hong Kong’s Central put out after 4-hour battle, 4 hurt

Flames erupt from the Chinachem Tower in Central. Photo: Handout

Scaffolding on the Chinachem Tower on fire. Photo: Facebook / Soso Chan

Firefighters use jets to tackle the blaze. Photo: Dickson Lee

A man is taken to hospital for treatment. Photo: Dickson Lee

Looking back at some of Hong Kong’s deadliest blazes in recent decades

The Jumbo Floating Restaurant is engulfed in flames in 1971 before its scheduled opening. Photo: C. Y. Yu

The fire at the Amoycan Industrial Centre in a densely packed neighbourhood in Ngau Tau Kok. Photo: Felix Wong

The fire at Fa Yuen Street was triggered by a connection problem with an electrical cable. Photo: David Wong

The fire at Top One Karaoke in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Handout

Government rescue helicopters hover above the blazing Garley Building on Nathan Road. Photo: C. Y. Yu

The Jumbo Floating Restaurant is engulfed in flames before its scheduled opening. Photo: SCMP

The aftermath of the blaze at Un Chau Street on Sham Shui Po. Photo: SCMP

The fire at a squatter village in Shek Kip Mei. Photo: Handout 

Firefighters battling fire raging for 7 hours at Hong Kong recycling site

A fire has broken out at a recycling site in Tsing Yi near Stonecutters Bridge. Photo: Sun Yeung

Smoke rises from the site of the fire at the Tsing Yi recycling site near Stonecutters Bridge. Photo: Sun Yeung

News

Hong Kong

Society

Pictures and videos circulating online showed scaffolding on fire and black smoke billowing from tower in central business district


Pictures and videos circulating online showed scaffolding on fire and black smoke billowing from tower in central business district.


Hong Kong fires and safety

Accidents and personal safety in Hong Kong

Hong Kong rescue services

Chinachem

Chinachem Tower blaze in Hong Kong’s Central put out after 4-hour battle, 4 hurt

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Pictures and videos circulating online showed scaffolding on fire and black smoke billowing from tower in central business district

Pictures and videos circulating online showed scaffolding on fire and black smoke billowing from tower in central business district