HONG KONG, April 4 — A maintenance worker suffered facial burns this morning after an electrical meter room at a primary school in the Wan Chai district caught fire. Emergency services swiftly responded to the institution, located at 169 Thomson Road, and extinguished the small blaze. The incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m., according to police reports.
The worker was reportedly inside the electrical meter room conducting maintenance when smoke began emanating from the compartment. Firefighters arrived on the scene and brought the fire under control by 10:26 a.m. The injured staff member remained conscious and was transported by ambulance to Ruttonjee Hospital for treatment of the facial injuries.
While the fire was contained quickly and no other injuries were reported among students or faculty, the incident highlighted safety concerns regarding electrical infrastructure in busy urban school environments. Police initiated an investigation into the precise cause of the malfunction.
Following the incident, officials from Hong Kong Electric, the territory’s power provider, were dispatched to the school to assess the damage and inspect the electrical installation. Authorities have not yet determined what sparked the fire, but initial speculation focuses on an electrical fault within the metering apparatus or adjacent wiring.
Safety Protocols Under Scrutiny
School administrators nationwide are often tasked with ensuring the integrity of critical infrastructure, including electrical systems that power everything from lighting to essential learning technology. Electrical fires, while less common than other types of structural incidents, pose significant risks due to the potential for rapid spread and severe damage.
Experts routinely emphasize the importance of regular, certified inspections of high-voltage and load-bearing electrical units. According to guidelines issued by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), mandatory periodic inspections are required for certain fixed electrical installations.
- Routine Maintenance: Ensure electrical rooms are clear of combustible materials.
- Certified Inspection: Only qualified electricians should conduct maintenance or repair work on meter rooms.
- Emergency Access: Maintain clear pathways and ensure fire suppression equipment is readily available.
The Wan Chai District Police confirmed the matter is being treated as a fire incident. The extent of the damage to the school’s electrical supply infrastructure remains under assessment by Hong Kong Electric engineers. The prompt response by fire services prevented the situation from escalating, which could have led to greater disruption at the school.
Authorities are expected to examine logs relating to the meter room’s maintenance history and the operational status of the installed fire safety system as part of their inquiry. The full findings of the investigation into the cause of the electrical fire and subsequent injury are pending.
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