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A fire broke out at Hong Kong's Mei Yue House in Shek Kip Mei Estate on Sunday morning, leaving one person dead and eight others injured from smoke inhalation, as police and the Fire Services Department launched a joint investigation into the victim's identity and the cause of the blaze, according to multiple Hongkong media reports.

At about 8 am, residents reported that a unit in Mei Yu House was on fire. Firefighters arrived and used water jets to extinguish the blaze, according to the TVB News. 

Firefighters rescued several people suspected of suffering from inhaled heavy smoke inhalation. About 200 residents were evacuated to the ground floor of the building, per the report. 

The Fire Services Department is investigating a possible electrical fault which may have started the fire.

The Hong Kong Observatory also issued a Yellow Fire Danger Warning on the same day, indicating that fires are more likely to occur. The public has been advised to exercise caution to prevent fires, while hikers have been urged to take extra care to avoid hill fires. 

Hong Kong police and the Fire Services Department held a press briefing at noon on Sunday. Yip Kam-kong, an officer from Fire Services Department, said the department received a report at 8:01 am and arrived at the scene four minutes later. A total of 13 fire engines, 13 ambulances and 91 personnel were deployed, along with one hose jet and a breathing apparatus team. The fire has largely been put out, according to Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group.

Yip said the fire affected an area of about 20 square meters. Firefighters rescued one man and seven women, while another man was found dead inside the unit. All the injured have been taken to hospital for treatment. He said that the flat was severely damaged and that the corridor outside was cluttered with miscellaneous items and filled with heavy smoke, which increased the difficulty of rescue operations. As for the cause of the fire, Yip said investigations would cover multiple possibilities, including electrical faults, per the report.

Yip added that firefighters encountered dense smoke upon entering the corridor and that the extent of damage and the amount of clutter inside the unit further complicated search and rescue efforts. 

He said that following an earlier fire at Wang Fuk Court, the Fire Services Department had reallocated internal manpower to form a rapid response task force, which is immediately dispatched during fires to assist frontline crews in checking the effectiveness and operational status of fire service installations and equipment in buildings. Enforcement action will be taken on the spot if deficiencies or other fire safety violations are found, Sing Tao Headline reported.

Global Times