Post Magazine

<![CDATA[Large hill fire burns in Hong Kong for more than 8 hours]>

A large hill fire was raging in northwestern Hong Kong on Friday night as efforts to water bomb the blaze with a government helicopter failed to douse the flames.

Firefighters continued to battle the blaze, which had engulfed a hillside near Yeung Ka Tsuen in Yuen Long, in the northwestern New Territories, for more than eight hours.

The fire was burning in at least two areas. Photo: Facebook alt=The fire was burning in at least two areas. Photo: Facebook

The fire, which broke out at about 3pm., had not been extinguished by 11pm.

But because the location was not near a residential area no evacuation was needed, the Fire Services Department said.

They are no homes near the hill fire so evacuation is not required. Photo: Facebook alt=They are no homes near the hill fire so evacuation is not required. Photo: Facebook

The hill fire was burning in at least two areas covering stretches of land 500 metres (1,600 feet) wide and 1.2km (0.7 miles) long, a department spokesman said.

The Government Flying Service helicopter left the scene when night fell.

This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

More from Post Magazine

Post Magazine3 min read
Germany Arrests Three On Suspicion Of Spying For China, As Britain Charges Two
In Europe, two Chinese spying scandals were developing on Monday, adding to deep concerns over Beijing's alleged espionage activities on the continent. Early in the day, federal prosecutors announced that three German nationals had been arrested on "
Post Magazine4 min readWorld
China Is Subsidising Global Fentanyl Supply, Says Report By US Congressional Panel
China must be pressured to address the global supply of fentanyl and its ingredient chemicals, by further economic sanctions if necessary, which it is subsidising as the "scourge" kills more Americans annually than died during the Vietnam war, accord
Post Magazine2 min read
Hong Kong Lawmaker Takes Aim At Education Bureau Over Soon-to-close Rosaryhill Secondary School
A lawmaker has warned that he will file a complaint with Hong Kong's ombudsman if education authorities do not give a soon-to-close school another two years to operate as initially suggested. Legislator Tik Chi-yuen issued the ultimatum to the Educat