Fire Breaks Out in Lok Kai Wai Jin Jing Garden Due to Overheated Socket, 200 Evacuated

A fire broke out in Lo Ka Kui Wai Jin Jing Garden in the early hours of Wednesday due to an overheated socket, resulting in an evacuation of 200 residents. A resident on the 10th floor and one pet owner had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Initial investigations suggest that the fire was caused by an overheated socket.

A fire broke out at Crystal Garden in WKV. Early Wednesday morning at 3:15 AM, multiple reports prompted the police to alert firefighters to a fire in a low-level unit of Block 22, No. 80 Hong Guang Street. About 200 residents were evacuated, some even taking their pets with them. A resident on the 10th floor waved a towel from the window for assistance; firefighters helped them down. The fire unit's residents, a couple, had just left their home barefoot. There were two couples on the same floor who kept a dog, two cats, and a hamster, who escaped with all their pets. The female resident suspected smoke inhalation, and was provided with an oxygen mask. Another elderly man required assistance to descend and did not require hospitalization. The male homeowner, Lin (63), had burns to his hands and feet, while the female resident, Chen (35), was inhaled smoke, both conscious and taken to the Union Christian Hospital. Firefighters extinguished the fire, and preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was caused by an overheated plug socket. At this stage, there is no evidence to indicate that the incident was arson.

Rescue efforts were promptly mobilized, with some residents escaping with only the pets they could carry. One boy, surnamed Zhao, said he was woken by a heavy smell of smoke and escaped with his parents and two cats. Firefighters also rescued a couple who had evacuated the burning unit with their pets barefoot. The couple sustained minor injuries and were provided with oxygen masks. The elderly man, while needing assistance to descend, did not require medical attention. As of the latest update, the fire department suspects the fire originated from an overheated plug socket within the unit. Further investigation is ongoing to confirm the exact cause.

The incident highlights the importance of fire safety measures and the need for residents to be prepared. Evacuation plans and awareness of potential fire hazards can significantly minimize the impact of such emergencies. As of Wednesday morning, all evacuated individuals were accounted for and are in stable condition. Final causes of the fire are still under investigation.