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The Fire Services Department (FSD) today (November 11) conducted surprise inspections in a number of old tenement buildings in Mong Kok, aiming at combating the dangerous practice of obstructing means of escape.
The FSD will continue its law enforcement action territory-wide in areas where more old tenement buildings are situated. Today's action launched a series of operations which are also aimed at arousing public awareness of the importance of fire safety.
Apart from combating the dangerous practice, the FSD also distributed fire safety leaflets to occupants today to remind them of their responsibility to keep means of escape free from obstruction and to heed fire safety.
The FSD today inspected 30 buildings and issued 17 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices.
"The FSD has all along been according a high priority toward fire safety issues relating to means of escape in buildings and is keen to spread fire safety messages.
"Owing to grave public concerns over the obstruction of means of escape discovered in a fire in an old tenement building at Parkes Street, Jordan, last week, we are stepping up inspection efforts to raise awareness of building fire safety," an FSD spokesman said.
He added that in Parkes Street and its vicinity, the department had already stepped up inspecting means of escape in old tenement buildings and had taken law enforcement action against offenders. Moreover, the FSD will hold a publicity activity in the above locations tomorrow and distribute leaflets to promote fire safety.
The spokesman appealed to all occupants to keep means of escape unobstructed in a bid to safeguard their own lives and the lives of visitors.
"The public may call our hotline on 2723 8787 to report any case of obstructing means of escape," he added.
Ends/Friday, November 11, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:19
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