Teen arrested after smoke grenade incident evacuates 300

Over 300 residents were forced to evacuate their homes in Kwai Chung on Thursday night after smoke filled a housing estate corridor, traced back to a smoke grenade activated by a 13-year-old boy.

The incident occurred around 10pm in Block 2 of The Apex on Wo Yi Hop Road. Residents reported thick smoke billowing through the building, prompting emergency calls.

Firefighters arriving at the scene quickly identified the source as a "smoke grenade." Police investigation revealed that a 13-year-old resident had purchased three grenade-shaped smoke devices online for approximately HK$92 on July 10. 

The items were shipped to Hong Kong, and the boy collected them from a parcel collection point.

According to sources, the boy removed the safety pin from one device inside his family's apartment. 

When smoke began pouring out uncontrollably, he panicked and placed the activated grenade in the corridor outside his unit. 

The smoke rapidly spread throughout the building section.

Firefighters evacuated residents to safety, and police located the boy involved. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau was called to examine the devices. 

They preliminarily identified the three smoke grenades as explosives and removed them for further analysis.

The 13-year-old was subsequently arrested on suspicion of "possession of explosives." 

No injuries or property damage were reported in the incident.