Fire broke out at 2.51am, with firefighters extinguishing it in under an hour using a hose, breathing apparatus and an aerial ladder
1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenCannix YauPublished: 2:26pm, 27 Aug 2026Updated: 2:32pm, 27 Aug 2026Three people have been injured and four cats have died after a power bank caught fire in a public housing flat in Hong Kong, forcing nearly 80 residents to evacuate onto the street.
Police said they received a report at 2.51am on Thursday from a resident that a power bank inside her flat at So Uk Estate in Cheung Sha Wan had caught fire and that she managed to escape in time. Multiple other calls reported thick smoke coming from the location.
The Fire Services Department said firefighters arrived shortly afterwards, deployed a hose and a breathing-apparatus team to extinguish the fire and rescue residents, and raised an aerial ladder for inspection.
A total of 78 residents were evacuated, with some taking their pets downstairs to take shelter.
Two men and a woman, aged 62 to 64, reported feeling unwell on a staircase while fleeing after inhaling smoke. Police said they sustained limb injuries and were later sent to Caritas Medical Centre for treatment.
The fire department said that at 3.29am, firefighters extinguished the blaze and rescued four cats from the flat. They covered the animals with blankets and laid them on the ground.
