Power Disruption Traps Dozens In Lifts

A power disruption spanning parts of Kowloon and the New Territories late on Thursday night trapped dozens of people in lifts and set off numerous fire alarms, after residents reported seeing what appeared to be an explosion near Fei Ngo Shan.

CLP Power said its high-voltage electrical power supply system at Tsz Wan Shan suffered multiple voltage dips between 11.26pm and 12.06am, though the power supply was never completely cut off.

The Fire Services Department received dozens of calls for help from people trapped in lifts, while fire alarms were set off. Many residents also reported seeing flickering lights.

A video clip taken by a resident appeared to show a brilliant flash of light on a hillside, followed by a loud bang.

Another clip showed a flash of light near an electric pylon, while a woman exclaims in shock “Oh my god! There’s fire! Can you see that?”

The power company said it sent engineering staff to check pylons and overhead lines in the Fei Ngo Shan area and no damage had been found so far.

The latest incident comes months after thousands of households were left without power for days last June after a fire from high-voltage cables in Yuen Long triggered mass outages.

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