Fire Services Department explains why it took 26 minutes for boats to arrive in Shau Kei Wan after families and onlookers condemn slow response
LAI YING-KITyingkit.lai@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 29 September, 2015, 3:01pm
UPDATED : Tuesday, 29 September, 2015, 3:01pm
One of the four fireboats that fought the blaze in action
The fireboat based closest to Sunday’s dramatic blaze in Shau Kei Wan typhoon shelter was on other duties at the time, meaning four vessels from three other districts had to be called in, the Fire Services Department said yesterday.
The department was responding to fierce criticism over its slow response to the blaze, which destroyed at least 10 vessels, damaged 20 more and injured five people. Among the critics – who rejected claims the fireboats were unable to get in more quickly due to a blockage at the entrance to the shelter – was a family that lost its home, possessions and even one of its pet cats in the fire.
READ MORE: A family's nightmare: dramatic blaze destroys home, kills pet cat and leaves dreams in tatters
Four fireboats arrived at the typhoon shelter at 2.27pm on Sunday, 26 minutes after the blaze broke out. But the department said Fireboat Eight, which is based little over 2km from the typhoon shelter at North Point Fire Station, was out at sea when the call came in.
Sunday's fire blazed for 10 hours
A boat from Central – the second nearest – was scrambled, while others later arrived from Stonecutters Island and Aberdeen.
Firefighters in five fire engines had arrived at the shelter by 2.07pm and boarded police vessels to fight the fire.
READ MORE: Five injured as fire sweeps through boats
The blaze spread among boats and was upgraded to a No.3 fire at 3.31pm. Smoke billowed hundreds of metres into the air, and firefighters took 10 hours to extinguish it.
The department also said the fireboats had to sail slowly within the typhoon shelter as other boats were sailed out into the harbour to avoid the fire.
“Inside the shelter, the fireboats had to take heed of other berthed and sailing vessels to maintain a safe distance between the fireboats and other vessels,” the department said.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1862353/nearest-fireboat-dramatic-hong-kong-typhoon
