Fire erupts at Mei Lam Estate; one hospitalized

A fire broke out in a residential unit located in Tai Wai on Saturday morning, resulting in one man being hospitalized due to smoke inhalation and the evacuation of approximately 100 residents.

A fire alarm was raised at 9.31am today at Mei Yeung House in Mei Lam Estate. 

Reports from the scene indicated that explosions were heard from the affected unit. 

Multiple emergency calls were received, with one caller expressing concern that a cat might be trapped inside the burning apartment.

Firefighters promptly arrived at the scene and deployed one water jet and a breathing apparatus team to combat the blaze. 

The fire was successfully extinguished by 10.19am.

During the incident, thick black smoke billowed from the unit, rising over ten stories high. 

A resident in a neighboring unit was seen waving a yellow towel from a window to signal for help before being rescued. 

Approximately one hundred residents self-evacuated to safety on ground level.

One man was transported to the hospital after experiencing discomfort from inhaling smoke. Another individual received treatment at the scene but declined to be taken to the hospital.

Following the fire, the exterior wall of the involved unit was left blackened by the smoke. 

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Fire Services Department.