HONG KONG — Dozens of people were trapped on the rooftop of a Hong Kong skyscraper after a major fire broke out on Wednesday, as firefighters rushed to rescue them and put out the blaze.
The fire started in the early afternoon at the World Trade Centre on Gloucester Road in the city’s popular Causeway Bay shopping district, according to a government notice. The 38-story building houses both offices and a mall.
At least 12 people were sent to the hospital for treatment, according to authorities.
Firefighters had used an extendable ladder to rescue several people who were trapped on the lower floors of the building. Other people were said to be trapped in restaurants in the mall, according to the local South China Morning Post newspaper.
Nearly a hundred people had also evacuated to the top of the building while waiting to be rescued. Many of them later left the building. Some of them were covering their noses and mouths but did not appear to be seriously injured.
Firefighters use a crane to rescue people lined up on a roof. Wing Shun Kwok via REUTERS
People are rescued by a firefighter at Hong Kong’s World Trade Centre, located in the city’s popular Causeway Bay shopping district. APThe fire was upgraded to a level three incident, according to a police notice. Fires are graded on a scale of one to five, with five being the most severe. As of 3:06 p.m., authorities said the fire was under control.
Two breathing apparatus teams and two water jets were mobilized to help fight the blaze, police said.
A firefighter helps people during the blaze at Hong Kong’s World Trade Centre, located in the city’s popular Causeway Bay shopping district. REUTERS
People walk out from the World Trade Centre after the evacuation. AP
Firefighters stand by outside the World Trade Centre. AP
Firefighters rescue people from the Hong Kong fire. AP