Hong Kong Housing Authority and Housing Department

A fire broke out in a flat of Choi Wah House in Choi Yuen Estate in a morning of mid-October. Some of the estate tenants assisted to combat the fire from various directions by using fire hose reels.

Mr Tam, one of the tenants who assisted in putting off the fire, recalled that the fire was vigorous at that time. He observed the direction of smoke and wind. Upon confirming that he was under safety conditions, he used the fire hose reel by following instructions to activate the fire alarm, start the fire pump, open the control valve and direct the fire hose towards the unit in fire to prevent it from spreading. He recalled seeing the tips on the stickers of “How to Operate the Fire Hose Reel” displayed inside the lifts. When the fire broke out, he was therefore able to make good use of the fire hose reel installed on the floor of domestic block.

Ms Kam, a neighour of Mr Tam, shouted immediately to urge her neighbours to escape when she realised the outbreak of the fire. She assisted her neighbour to pull out the hose and pointed the nozzle to the fire when Mr Tam was taking out the fire hose. “We have been living in Choi Yuen Estate for years. We should help each other if needed,” she added.

The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) always puts fire safety in its top priority. Knowledge of fire safety has been disseminated to public housing tenants through various channels, including video broadcasts on the Housing Channel which is a designated platform for public housing estates, local radio channels and posters. Choi Yuen Estate is one of the examples. Fire drills and seminars were organised once a year.  Fire Safety Education Bus and Mobile Publicity Unit of the Fire Services Department were arranged to visit estates for promoting fire safety messages. The Estate Management Advisory Committee also organised Estate Fire Safety Fun Fair which was well received by tenants.