‘At least ten vessels sink during blaze, some adrift’

The Fire Services Department says at least ten vessels sank and others broke their moorings during a blaze at Aberdeen South typhoon shelter early on Sunday. About 30 vessels were affected.

They said 35 people were rescued from vessels during the fire, which broke out just after 2.30 am on Sunday at Aberdeen South typhoon shelter, off Ap Lei Chau Praya Road .

The fire was upgraded to a three alarm fire two hours later, and was largely extinguished at 8.40am.

The Fire Services Department says the fire had largely been extinguished after more than six hours.

Footage from the scene showed the fire to be intense.

Firefighters used 11 fire boat monitors, eight jets, and mobilised four breathing apparatus teams to fight the blaze.

The Fire Services Department’s Divisional Commander of the Marine and Diving division, Yiu Men-yeung, said the wind direction and the fact that the boats were closely packed made firefighters’ job more difficult.

There were no reports of any injuries, though one person was sent to Ruttonjee Hospital feeling unwell, and residents of nearby apartments complained of the fumes from the fire.

Ten people were rescued from a nearby boat that was not on fire.