Two people remain in a critical condition after a three-alarm fire at the Chinachem Tower on Connaught Road in Central on Saturday (Oct 18).
The 23-year-old man, surnamed Ngai, and a 55-year-old man, surnamed Lam, were taken to the hospital with breathing difficulties after being overcome by smoke.
The other two injuries were a 65-year-old man surnamed Chung and a 35-year-old woman surnamed Yeung, both of whom are in stable conditions.
They were found on the staircase between the 3rd and 4th floors.
The Fire Services Department has established an investigation team to look into the cause of the fire and why the fire spread rapidly. The Buildings Department also dispatched officers to the scene this morning for an investigation.
Due to the fire, some nearby fast food restaurants and convenience stores have remained closed.
Authorities received the alert at 4.24pm yesterday and arrived on the scene four minutes later. Crews found the building's exterior encased in scaffolding for renovation work, with flames spreading rapidly and intensely to adjacent buildings.
After receiving calls for help from the public, the fire was upgraded to a three-alarm level eight minutes later. The fire was contained by 5.46pm, brought under control by 7pm and largely extinguished by 9.13pm.
The fire department deployed 36 fire engines, 15 ambulances, and 184 firefighters. Crews utilized four water jets, four breathing apparatus teams, and two water towers from hydraulic platforms. Drones were also deployed to monitor the fire's spread from the perimeter.
Approximately 50 occupants of the building evacuated safely on their own.
