One resident died and eight were injured after a fire broke out in Mei Yue House, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Kowloon, on Sunday morning, forcing more than 270 residents to flee their homes.

The blaze started in a flat on the 21st floor of the public housing block, with flames and thick smoke gushing out of windows and the building’s exterior blackened.

The inferno was largely extinguished 50 minutes later at about 8:54 am. Firefighters found the body of a male in the unit. The Fire Services Department said its investigation will focus on possible electrical faults.

A male and seven females were severely injured after inhaling smoke and were admitted to Caritas Medical Centre and Kwong Wah Hospital.

Firemen led about 22 residents to safety, while about 250 others fled themselves, many still in their nightclothes and wrapped in blankets.

Yip Kam-kong, acting assistant divisional officer of the Fire Services Department, said they received a report of a fire at 8:01 am, and firemen arrived four minutes later, with 13 fire engines and 13 ambulances, while 91 fire and ambulance personnel were deployed to put out the blaze and provide assistance.

He said the inferno covered an area of about five by four meters, where firefighters encountered dense smoke in the corridor. The affected unit was severely burnt and cluttered with belongings that made rescue efforts difficult.

Yip said that following the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po in November last year, the Fire Services Department had set up a rapid response team that would be sent immediately to the scene of a fire to inspect the effectiveness of an affected building’s fire protection systems.

Mei Yu House’s fire protection equipment had passed an annual inspection recently, and no problems were detected after tests were carried out, he said.

Hong Kong has been experiencing dry weather in the past few days. The Hong Kong Observatory issued a yellow fire danger warning at 6 am on Sunday, indicating a high fire risk.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com