An exterior wall of a shopping centre in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay caught fire during the lunch hour on Tuesday.
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Multiple videos circulating online show the artificial plants lining the wall of Lee Theatre Plaza – opposite Times Square and running from the ground to the third floor – were engulfed in flames.
Police said they received multiple reports that a billboard in Causeway Bay caught fire at 12.53pm, while the Fire Services Department noted that it deployed a water jet and rescue team equipped with breathing apparatus to the scene.
Fire at major Hong Kong shopping centre
Fire at major Hong Kong shopping centre
The Post observed that at least seven fire engines and a dozen firefighters were at the scene on Matheson Street.
Firefighters were seen directing strong streams of water towards the top left corner of the Uniqlo billboard outside the centre.
The strong fumes of smoke also drew crowds of curious onlookers out on their lunch break to gather across the road.
The pungent smell of burnt plastic filled the streets surrounding Lee Theatre, as well as inside the building.