14-year-old rescued from Kwai Chung fire; six cats found unharmed

A 14-year-old boy was rescued from a blaze at a flat in Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung, early Thursday morning (Nov 20) after being left home alone. Firefighters quickly put out the fire, and 75 residents were evacuated as a precaution.

The fire broke out at around 7.41am on the third floor of Block 8. The boy’s 46-year-old aunt had reportedly lit incense at a home altar before leaving. Smoke was later seen in the living room, prompting the boy to call for help. Firefighters rescued the teenager and brought the blaze under control by 8.05am, while all six cats in the flat remained unharmed. The boy suffered smoke inhalation but remained conscious and was taken to hospital.

A fifth-floor resident also shared her experience evacuating with her two cats. She said the pets hid under the bed when the fire alarm sounded.

“The hardest part was getting them into the cages, but I couldn’t leave them behind,” she said. She eventually managed to bring both to safety.

Police arrested the boy’s aunt on suspicion of ill-treatment or neglect of a child or young person. Initial investigations suggest incense ashes may have ignited electrical wiring.

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