Jordan killer flames

A No 3 alarm blaze in an old-style residential and commercial building in Jordan killed five people and injured 40 others yesterday, with around 300 more evacuated.

Police have launched a criminal investigation, though firefighters have yet to confirm whether foul play had been involved.

The fire broke out at 7.53am at New Lucky House, on the junction of Jordan Road and Nathan Road, and it was upgraded to the third-highest alarm on a five-tiered system at 8.04am. Firefighters put the blaze under control at around 9am, and it was largely out at 10.30am.

A total of 35 fire engines, 24 ambulances and 218 firefighters and paramedics were deployed to the scene.

The five dead consisted of three men and two women. Some were found in the corridor of the second floor and in the staircase between the seventh and eighth floors, while one fell from height while trying to escape, according to the Fire Services Department.

The main causes of the other deaths were burn and inhalation injuries, FSD said.

Its Kowloon South Division commander, Lam Kin-kwan, said the blaze is suspected to have started in the lobby on the first and second floors, where a gym and licensed guesthouses were situated.

"There were many light boxes and materials on the first floor," Lam said. "They had gone up in flames, but we found many plastic materials. A team will look into the cause of the spread of the fire and thick smoke."

Police said they are carrying out a criminal investigation to find out whether someone should be held accountable for the incident, urging witnesses to provide information.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu visited injured people at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where three men and a woman passed away. The other fatality was certificated dead at Kwong Wah Hospital. Only two men of the five deceased have been identified.

Lee said he was "deeply saddened" and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased as well as the injured.

According to the Hospital Authority, 17 people among the 40 injured were discharged, while 23 are still being treated at Queen Elizabeth, Kwong Wah, Princess Margaret, Prince of Wales and Queen Mary, including a baby girl under a year old.

Five patients are in critical condition while seven are in serious condition, the authority said.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said authorities will conduct an in-depth probe.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung visited the fire scene and entered the building wearing an incident uniform.

A customer in the gym said he was working out with another customer when he found out that the building was on fire. He also heard a few explosions before running for his life.

A resident living on the fifth floor, who escaped in his pajamas, said thick smoke had already filled his home before he was able to act. He added the smoke made him unable to see signages to emergency exits.

More than 130 people sought help at a temporary shelter at Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre, opened by the Yau Tsim Mong District Office, and authorities opened an additional temporary shelter at the Nam Cheong District Community Centre.

Because of the tragedy, a drone show to celebrate Chinese-built icebreaker Xue Long 2's visit to Hong Kong last night was canceled.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com