Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Hong Kong Fire: Essential Do’s and Don’ts You Must Follow During A Fire Emergency

hong kong fire

At least 55 people have lost their lives and 279 remain missing after <span>Hong Kong</span>’s most severe fire in more than a century swept through several high-rise towers on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Fire crews are still trying to put out the blaze in the Tai Po area and reach those who are trapped inside. By early Thursday, authorities said they had managed to control the fire in four buildings, though teams were still working on three others more than 16 hours after the flames first appeared.

A residential complex in the Tai Po district caught fire at around 2:51pm local time on Wednesday. The flames started on the bamboo scaffolding fixed to the outside of one of the buildings. This scaffolding, made of bamboo poles used by workers during repairs, burns very easily. Once it caught fire, the flames moved quickly up the outside of the building, spread into the apartments, and then reached nearby towers.

The blocks were also covered in green construction netting from the ground to the roof because renovation work was taking place. This netting caught fire as well and helped the flames advance at a faster pace. Local reports noted that the fire grew at incredible speed. By 3:34pm, it had reached a level four alarm, and by 6:22pm, it had been raised to a level five alarm, the highest alert in Hong Kong. It is now the deadliest fire the city has seen in more than 100 years.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Hong Kong Fire</span>: How Did The Fire Start?</h2>

The blaze spread in minutes because it began on the bamboo scaffolding around the building and moved to the green netting covering the towers. Both materials burn very easily. Once they ignited, the flames climbed the outside of the tower and reached many floors above. Burning fragments then dropped to the ground and set nearby buildings on fire within minutes. Wind and the open gaps created during the renovation work likely pushed the flames even faster. While officials are still examining the exact cause, they said that the flammable scaffolding, the construction materials, and the tall buildings standing close together all played a part in letting the fire grow out of control, according to Al Jazeera.

<h2>Hong Kong Fire: Essential Safety Tips To Keep In Mind During A Fire Emergency</h2>

As per The American Red Cross society, here are some essential safety tips you should follow during incase a fire emergency strucks.

<strong><h3><span rel="noindex">Smoke Alarms</span>:</h3></strong>

<ul><li>Make sure your home is fitted with working smoke alarms.</li><li>Place an alarm on every level of your home including inside each bedroom and outside every sleeping area. Connect the alarms so that they all sound together.</li><li>Install alarms and alert tools to help family members who are deaf or hard of hearing.</li><li>Alert tools such as strobe lights flash when the alarm rings. Pillow or bed shakers can help wake someone who is sleeping. These devices are triggered by the sound of the smoke alarm and shake the bed to warn the person about the fire.</li><li>Test each alarm at least once a month. Press the test button to check that it works.</li><li>Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for details on smoke alarms that may have been recalled.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Create a home escape plan that includes two ways out of every room. Share this plan with all family members and guests.</li><li>The plan should show two clear exits from each room and a meeting point outside the home.</li><li>Make sure everyone in the house knows the plan.</li><li>Practice your fire drill regularly.</li><li>Ensure that children, older adults, and people with disabilities have the help they need during an escape.</li><li>Keep stairways well lit to prevent falls.</li><li>Clear clutter so no one trips while trying to leave quickly.</li><li>Add handrails along both sides of staircases.</li><li>If you live in an apartment, know where all exit staircases are located on your floor in case the nearest one is blocked by smoke or flames. Always use the stairs to leave the building. Do not use the elevator unless the fire department says you can.</li></ul>

<ul><li>If there is a fire, get out quickly and stay outside. Then call 9-1-1.</li><li>If you cannot leave the building, call 9-1-1 and tell the fire department you are unable to get out. Wave a light coloured cloth or a flashlight near the window to signal for help, but keep the window closed.</li><li>If you see smoke, use your second escape route. If you must move through smoke, stay low and crawl under it.</li></ul>

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At least 55 people have lost their lives and 279 remain missing after Hong Kong’s most severe fire in more than a century swept through several high-rise towers on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Fire crews are still trying to put out the blaze in the Tai Po area and reach those who are trapped inside. By early Thursday, authorities said they had managed to control the fire in four buildings, though teams were still working on three others more than 16 hours after the flames first appeared.What Happened in Hong Kong?A residential complex in the Tai Po district caught fire at around 2:51pm local time on Wednesday. The flames started on the bamboo scaffolding fixed to the outside of one of the buildings. This scaffolding, made of bamboo poles used by workers during repairs, burns very easily. Once it caught fire, the flames moved quickly up the outside of the building, spread into the apartments, and then reached nearby towers.The blocks were also covered in green construction netting from the ground to the roof because renovation work was taking place. This netting caught fire as well and helped the flames advance at a faster pace. Local reports noted that the fire grew at incredible speed. By 3:34pm, it had reached a level four alarm, and by 6:22pm, it had been raised to a level five alarm, the highest alert in Hong Kong. It is now the deadliest fire the city has seen in more than 100 years.Hong Kong Fire: How Did The Fire Start?The blaze spread in minutes because it began on the bamboo scaffolding around the building and moved to the green netting covering the towers. Both materials burn very easily. Once they ignited, the flames climbed the outside of the tower and reached many floors above. Burning fragments then dropped to the ground and set nearby buildings on fire within minutes. Wind and the open gaps created during the renovation work likely pushed the flames even faster. While officials are still examining the exact cause, they said that the flammable scaffolding, the construction materials, and the tall buildings standing close together all played a part in letting the fire grow out of control, according to Al Jazeera.Hong Kong Fire: Essential Safety Tips To Keep In Mind During A Fire EmergencyAs per The American Red Cross society, here are some essential safety tips you should follow during incase a fire emergency strucks.Smoke Alarms:Make sure your home is fitted with working smoke alarms.Place an alarm on every level of your home including inside each bedroom and outside every sleeping area. Connect the alarms so that they all sound together.Install alarms and alert tools to help family members who are deaf or hard of hearing.Alert tools such as strobe lights flash when the alarm rings. Pillow or bed shakers can help wake someone who is sleeping. These devices are triggered by the sound of the smoke alarm and shake the bed to warn the person about the fire.Test each alarm at least once a month. Press the test button to check that it works.Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for details on smoke alarms that may have been recalled.Home Escape PlanCreate a home escape plan that includes two ways out of every room. Share this plan with all family members and guests.The plan should show two clear exits from each room and a meeting point outside the home.Make sure everyone in the house knows the plan.Practice your fire drill regularly.Ensure that children, older adults, and people with disabilities have the help they need during an escape.Keep stairways well lit to prevent falls.Clear clutter so no one trips while trying to leave quickly.Add handrails along both sides of staircases.If you live in an apartment, know where all exit staircases are located on your floor in case the nearest one is blocked by smoke or flames. Always use the stairs to leave the building. Do not use the elevator unless the fire department says you can.Fire ResponseIf there is a fire, get out quickly and stay outside. Then call 9-1-1.If you cannot leave the building, call 9-1-1 and tell the fire department you are unable to get out. Wave a light coloured cloth or a flashlight near the window to signal for help, but keep the window closed.If you see smoke, use your second escape route. If you must move through smoke, stay low and crawl under it.