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Hong Kong woman sets flat on fire with blowtorch, injuring 3 people and killing 4 cats

  • Police say preliminary investigation finds blaze started at flat in Yu Tai Court on Lantau Island when woman attempted to cook with blowtorch
  • Tenant rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital after suffering second-degree burns, while two other building residents are being treated for smoke inhalation

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Police say their investigation into the fire at Yu Tai Court is ongoing. Photo: Google
A Hong Kong woman accidentally set fire to her flat with a blowtorch on Friday morning, with the resulting blaze injuring her and two others, as well as killing four cats.
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The blaze erupted at Tung Chung’s Yu Tai Court on Lantau Island at around 6.22am.

Police said they initially received a call from the flat’s tenant, a 58-year-old woman surnamed Suen, who said her kitchen hob had caught fire.

But a preliminary investigation found the woman had been cooking with a blowtorch and accidentally set fire to the place, the force said.

The Fire Services Department said she suffered second-degree burns across her body and was rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital in Lai Chi Kok for treatment.

Two other female residents, aged 65 and 80, were being treated at North Lantau Hospital for smoke inhalation, with all three conscious, the department added.

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