Girl, 15, Dies In 'suspicious' Tai Wai Fire

A 15-year-old girl died and six people were injured in what police and firefighters say is a suspicious fire at a flat in Tai Wai early on Friday morning.

At a press briefing, Wong Tan, a station commander from the Fire Services Department said the girl's body was found near the entrance of the flat.

Wong said firefighters were called to Mei Wai House on the Mei Lam Estate at around 5am, adding that it took firefighters around 20 minutes to put out the blaze.

"We found some fire accelerant at the scene, and the blaze was spreading unusually fast. Based on these reasons, we classify this as a suspicious fire," Wong said.

The 45-year-old mother of the deceased was in a nearby stairwell with burns to her hands and face, while the mother's boyfriend, 44, was found in the bathroom suffering the effects of smoke inhalation.

Police Assistant District Commander Sharon Wong said the three people at the flat have no record of domestic violence.

A further four residents suffered smoke inhalation.

The case has been passed by the Fire Services Department to the police for further investigation.

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