Police To Probe 'suspicious' Fatal Blaze In Sha Tin

Firefighters say a fatal blaze that tore through a public flat in Sha Tin may have been started intentionally. One man died and four other people were hospitalised for smoke inhalation, with one woman in a critical condition.

The fire started inside a flat on the fifth floor of Wing Shui House in Lek Yuen Estate at around 4pm.

The blaze was contained inside one apartment, but a woman thought to live in the opposite flat was forced to crawl out of her window and onto a laundry rack as smoke billowed into her flat.

Harrowing footage of her covering her face with a rag as grey smoke billowed out was broadcast live on TV.

Firefighters doused her, and the open window behind her, with water to try to keep the fire at bay, before eventually entering her home to rescue her.

The blaze was put out around an hour and a half later, when firefighters discovered the body of a man inside the badly burnt flat.

Firefighters say they've passed the case on to the police, because they found accelerant inside the 200 square foot flat.

Around 300 people were evacuated during the fire.

One resident told RTHK there was heavy smoke in the building, and many elderly people needed help as they were being evacuated.

Authorities used two jets and mobilised two breathing apparatus teams to battle the blaze.

______________________________