Dehumidifier sparks fire at Wong Tai Sin estate, 3 injured, 300 evacuated

A fire believed to have been sparked by a dehumidifier broke out at a flat in Wang Tau Hom Estate in Wong Tai Sin early on Tuesday, injuring three residents and forcing about 300 others to evacuate.

Fire services received multiple reports of smoke and flames coming from a mid-level flat at Wang Yiu House around 3am. Firefighters arrived and deployed hoses to battle the blaze while evacuating residents, who sought refuge at ground level overnight. The fire was brought under control.

According to initial information, a dehumidifier in the affected flat is suspected to have caught fire first. The 34-year-old male occupant attempted to extinguish the flames himself but failed, sustaining burns to his hands and feet. He escaped along with his wife and mother, all three suffering from smoke inhalation. The man was more seriously injured and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital after paramedics treated him at the scene.

Footage provided by a reader showed flames raging inside the unit with thick smoke billowing from windows. Firefighters are investigating the cause of the blaze.