Hong Kong man, 71, fights for his life after being badly burned in fire that engulfed subdivided flat

Fierce flames were seen shooting from the windows as the fire engulfed the 215 sq ft subdivided flat. Thick black smoke billowed out into the sky.

The Fire Services Department used a water jet and a breathing apparatus team to put out the blaze after about 30 minutes.

About 30 people fled the building.

Hong Kong family of 3 hospitalised after heater catches fire, sparks flat blaze

A woman in her 80s who lived on an upper floor directly above the fire-hit flat was sent to nearby Ruttonjee Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation. She was later discharged.

Authorities said the fire could have been caused by a lit cigarette butt.

An investigation is under way.

The Central-bound lanes of Johnston Road between Wan Chai Road and Spring Garden Lane were closed temporarily because of the fire.