Fire at Hong Kong cargo area sends thick smoke into sky, recycled material destroyed

A fire broke out at a public cargo working area in the Yau Ma Tei area of Hong Kong on Monday, destroying recycled material and drawing the attention of onlookers on both sides of Victoria Harbour as huge plumes of thick smoke rose into the sky.

Authorities said the blaze started at 5.06pm, with the Fire Services Department upgrading the level of seriousness at 6pm. The fire was contained at 8.03pm.

Firefighters had not yet extinguished the fire as of 11pm.

The fire, covering an area of 400 square metres in New Yau Ma Tei Public Cargo Working Area, involved around 10 containers at the cargo space on Hoi Fai Road.

The recycled material included metal, wood and plastic.

No casualties were reported and no evacuation was needed.