A hillfire broke out at the hillside near Shui Chuen O, Sha Tin, at about after 3.30pm on January 20 and spread to the nearby ridges. The fire was put out at 12.57pm today (January 22).

     The affected area measures about 1 000 metres by 400 metres, including the hillside near Shui Chuen O Estate, Chap Wai Kon Village, Chap Wai Kon New Village and To Shek Village.

     As the hill fire occurred at a precipitous slope without footpath or vehicular access, Fire Services Department (FSD) personnel were air lifted by helicopters to the vicinity of the fire scene enabling them to put out the fire.

     The FSD personnel used fire beaters and flexible backpack pumps to fight the blaze during daytime. After assessing the fire situation yesterday evening, the FSD adopted defensive firefighting strategy. Fire personnel deployed water jets at various locations to prevent the fire from spreading to the hillside adjacent to the small house area.

     With the assistance from other departments, the FSD personnel patrolled continuously last night at areas surrounding the fire scenes. The shortest distance between the hill fire and the small houses was 200 metres.

     The FSD fought the blaze by mobilising 217 fire services personnel with fire beaters and flexible backpack pumps, and using seven jets and two ground monitors. Besides, the Government Flying Service conducted aerial surveillances and carried out 58 rounds of water bombing, whereas the fire crew of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and police officers also provided assistance at the scene.

     No casualties have been reported so far.

Ends/Sunday, January 22, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:42

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