HONG KONG, May 3 — Hong Kong police are investigating a suspicious fire that swept through a residential hallway in the city’s Wong Tai Sin district early Wednesday morning, immediately classifying the incident as arson. The blaze, which occurred around 4:40 a.m. at Kam Wah House in the sprawling Choi Hung Estate, prompted an emergency call from a resident who successfully extinguished the flames before authorities arrived. Fire officials later determined the conflagration was intentionally set, sparking a criminal investigation into the volatile incident that could have endangered hundreds of public housing residents.
The alarm was raised when a resident noticed thick smoke billowing through the corridor of the decades-old estate. Quick-thinking action by the caller contained the fire, preventing it from spreading into adjacent apartments. While no injuries were reported, police and Fire Services Department personnel arriving on the scene discovered clear evidence of burning debris and various household items piled in the common stairwell area.
Following an extensive preliminary review, fire investigators concluded that the fire scene, often referred to locally as the “natural ignition exclusion,” lacked any discernible accidental cause, such as an electrical fault or discarded cigarette. This finding strongly suggested a deliberate act, compelling the police to elevate the investigation to a case of arson.
The case has been transferred to the Wong Tai Sin District Crime Squad, Team Seven, an experienced unit now tasked with identifying the perpetrator and establishing a motive. Authorities have not yet made any arrests, but scene analysis and potential eyewitness accounts are expected to be critical in the ongoing probe. The incident highlights recurring safety concerns within densely populated public housing facilities regarding the illegal storage of combustible materials in shared common areas.
Residential areas in Hong Kong, particularly older public estates like Choi Hung, often face challenges ensuring tenants adhere to strict fire safety regulations that prohibit blocking staircases and hallways. Fire safety experts emphasize that such narrow, cluttered corridors act as effective fuel sources and significantly hinder evacuation routes during emergencies.
While the damage was limited in this specific instance, officials underscored that the deliberate setting of fires in enclosed residential spaces carries severe legal penalties and poses an extreme danger to the community. Police are urging anyone with information regarding the pre-dawn blaze to contact the authorities immediately as they search for the individual responsible for the dangerous act. The investigation remains active.
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