Nearly 100 Hill Fires Reported During Ching Ming

The Fire Services Department received reports of 97 hill fires during Thursday's Ching Ming Festival.

One of the most serious blazes was near Ngau Hom in Lau Fau Shan.

About 100 firefighters, along with other emergency personnel, were sent to tackle the blaze near a scrap yard. It was been put out and no one was injured.

Helicopters from the Government Flying Service also dropped water on the site.

The Fire Services Department says several abandoned vehicles and containers were damaged. No flammable material was found at the scene.

Pictures of the site also show a number of graves. At Ching Ming, it is customary to burn offerings to ancestors and these often cause fires.

Last year there were 85 reports of such hill fires.

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