By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-01-12 03:41:30 | Updated at 2025-01-12 08:17:54
4 hours ago
A hill fire in the northwestern part of Hong Kong is largely under control after burning for more than 17 hours, with an animal shelter threatened by the blaze confirming that all pets under its care are safe.
As of 10.20am on Sunday, firefighters were battling flames in two remaining areas in Yuen Long. They had diminished to 20 square metres (215 square feet) and five square metres, according to a government spokesman.
The blaze on Kai Kung Leng, a mountain range in Lam Tsuen Country Park, was first reported at 5.30pm on Saturday, resulting in two hikers being stranded. At its most intense, the fire line stretched 500 metres (1,640ft), according to local media reports.
The Big Tree Animal Sanctuary and Adoption Centre in Kam Tin said on Sunday that the part of the fire which had threatened its shelter had been extinguished at 5.30am.
The non-profit shelter has about 170 abandoned dogs and cats under its care, according to its Facebook page.
“The situation was so critical and so close to us!” an administrator of the page wrote.
