Latest news with #FireServicesDepartment
HKFP
3 days ago
- Climate
- HKFP
Typhoon Wipha: Hong Kong hoists T10 hurricane warning – highest signal – as residents urged to stay home
The Observatory has raised the 10 storm signal, as hurricane-force Wipha descends on China's southern coast. After hoisting highest storm signal at 9:20am on Sunday, the Observatory said that the alert would probably stay in place for some time: 'Do not go outside and stay away from exposed windows and doors. Make sure you have a safe place to shelter.' The weather service urged the public to take precautionary measures. Wipha is set to skirt 50 kilometres south of the Observatory on Sunday. The water level rose to about 3 metres above Chart Datum at Tai Po Kau. Maximum gusts exceeding 103 kilometres per hour were recorded at Tate's Cairn. China's Hainan and Guangdong provinces remain on high alert after the storm brought rain and flooding to the Philippines. The annual Hong Kong Book Fair and over 500 flights have been cancelled. Hong Kong's Airport Authority urged passengers to check for updates. As of 9am, the government had opened 34 temporary shelters with 214 people seeking refuge. The government's 1823 hotline received four reports of fallen tress, and the Fire Services Department received 11. As of 8am, one man has sought medical treatment at public hospital during the typhoon period. Rain and high temperatures are expected throughout the coming week, according to the Observatory. Typhoon Signal 10 Hurricane force winds are blowing or expected to blow when the No.10 signal is issued – it is the highest warning signal the Observatory can hoist. Citizens are urged to stay indoors and away from exposed windows and doors. Temporary shelters for people with no safe refuge will be opened. All government facilities and all schools will be closed. There will be no bus or ferry services, but trains will run in the underground sections of some MTR lines, if conditions permit. If the eye of the tropical cyclone passes directly over Hong Kong, there may be a temporary lull. The Hong Kong Observatory warns that this lull will be followed by a sudden resumption of violent winds, so residents in a safe place should stay where they are. Climate crisis Tropical cyclones – which get their energy from warm ocean water – are strengthening and become ever more destructive because of warming seas. Over 90 per cent of excess heat in the atmosphere is ending up in oceans, according to NASA, as rising greenhouse gases prevent it from escaping to space.
RTHK
4 days ago
- Climate
- RTHK
Govt holds meeting to prepare for incoming storm
Govt holds meeting to prepare for incoming storm Chief Secretary Eric Chan chairs a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons. Photo courtesy of Information Services Department Authorities on Friday said preparations across government departments are underway as Tropical Storm Wipha edges closer to Hong Kong. Chief Secretary Eric Chan chaired a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons, during which he coordinated preparatory works. One of the measures would see the Security Bureau set up an emergency monitoring and support centre if the Signal No 8 is issued. Emergency teams like the Fire Services Department, Police, Civil Aid Service, and Auxiliary Medical Service are also fully prepared and on standby in case of emergencies. The Transport Department will continue to operate a round-the-clock emergency transport coordination centre to monitor traffic and update the public on any disruptions. Meanwhile, the Drainage Services Department has surveyed and cleared about 240 flood-prone spots and deployed up to 180 emergency personnel city-wide.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Man dies after plunging from building during blaze in Hong Kong's Tsuen Wan
A man has died after falling from a building during a fire in Hong Kong's Tsuen Wan. Police said they received reports of a fire at Shek To House, Shek Wai Kok Estate, at around 4.05pm on Friday. The victim, reportedly in his sixties, fell from a building and was sent to Yan Chai Hospital, according to the force. He was certified dead at the hospital. Another woman was also sent to the same hospital after feeling unwell due to smoke inhalation. Around 80 people were evacuated from the fire. Police are investigating the cause of the incident. A government spokesman said the Fire Services Department received reports of the blaze at 4.06pm and extinguished the fire at 4.29pm.
HKFP
14-07-2025
- HKFP
Elderly man living alone found dead after early-morning fire in Hong Kong
A 78-year-old man living alone has been found dead after a fire broke out in a public housing unit in Hong Kong. The Fire Services Department (FSD) said on Monday that it received reports of the blaze in a third-floor unit in Wo King House, Lai King Estate, at 5.04am. The FSD sent 14 fire trucks and six ambulances to the scene, deploying 81 firefighters and ambulance officers in total. The fire, which measured about six by five metres, was largely put out at 5.20 am, it said. 'A male corpse… was discovered in the flat,' Wong Cheuk-kei, an assistant divisional officer of the FSD, said in Cantonese during a press briefing. Wong added that the 78-year-old man was found on a bed and was living by himself. 'We have also rescued three people in other units on the same floor. Fifty others evacuated themselves to safe areas,' he said. Senior ambulance officer Lai Hong-keung said the three people – a man and two women – who were rescued suffered from inhaling smoke. The man and one of the two women were sent to Prince Margaret Hospital, while the second woman refused to be hospitalised after she was treated at the scene, Lai said. Police said there was no evidence suggesting criminal activities linked to the blaze. The FSD is investigating the cause of the fire, Wong said.
Economic Times
21-06-2025
- Economic Times
Tseung Kwan O apartment fire prompts evacuation of 50 residents, one injured
A residential fire broke out at Royal View Bay in Tseung Kwan O, injuring one woman and forcing the evacuation of approximately 50 residents. The fire originated from a unit on Tong Yin Street, reportedly caused by scented candles left burning. Emergency services responded promptly and extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes Thick smoke and flames erupt from a unit at Royal View Bay in Tseung Kwan O, where scented candles are suspected to have caused a fire that injured one and led to the evacuation of 50 residents (AI generated image) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Scented candle suspected in Tseung Kwan O Royal View Bay fire Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A fire broke out in a residential unit at Royal View Bay on Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, early Friday morning, June 20, prompting the evacuation of about 50 residents and injuring one to police, the fire was reported at 7:47 a.m. on June 21 by a woman residing at 23 Tong Yin Street. Fire services arrived on scene shortly after and deployed a hose and a smoke helmet team to combat the read: Chinese customs seize 144 Pop Mart Labubu blind boxes at Wuhan Tianhe Airport The fire was contained and fully extinguished by 8:15 a.m. Authorities confirmed that approximately 50 individuals were evacuated from the building as a safety investigations indicate that three individuals, a pair of sisters and a foreign domestic helper, were residing in the affected apartment unit. One of the female residents sustained burns on her forehead and was transported by paramedics to Tseung Kwan O Hospital for circulating online show intense flames and thick black smoke billowing from the affected apartment. It is understood from preliminary reports that the fire originated in the bedroom, where the female occupant is believed to have fallen asleep while scented candles were incident is under investigation by the Fire Services Department and local authorities to determine the precise cause and assess potential fire safety other injuries have been reported, and building services were restored shortly after the fire was extinguished. Emergency response units conducted post-fire safety inspections to ensure the structural integrity of the building and confirmed no immediate danger to other residents.
