Elderly man dies in Lai King flat fire; burning mugwort may be linked

A 78-year-old man was found dead in a flat in Lai King after a fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon (Jan 14).

Firefighters were alerted at around 12.41pm after smoke was seen coming from a fifth-floor unit in Kai Him Lau, Cho Yiu Chuen. Teams rushed to the scene with hoses and breathing apparatus, assisted by additional search-and-rescue units. The fire was brought under control in about 10 minutes.

The victim was found in his bedroom with burns to the upper body and head and was pronounced dead at the scene. Fire authorities believe burning mugwort on the bedside may have ignited nearby materials. The bedroom measured about 60 sq ft, while the unit was roughly 8 by 5 meters (around 400 sq ft) and sparsely furnished.

According to the victim’s family, he had limited mobility and regularly burned mugwort. Initial investigations found no suspicious circumstances. Fire alarms and firefighting equipment functioned normally, and the building held a valid annual fire-safety certificate.

The Fire Services Department reminded the public that with the recent dry weather, caution is needed when burning incense, candles, or mugwort, and such items should be kept away from flammable objects.

(Updated 7.10pm)