Hong Kong bar blaze: why a 1997 arson case that killed 17 is back in the spotlight

A fatal blaze at a karaoke bar in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui that killed 17 people nearly 30 years ago has returned to the public eye after one of the suspects was arrested earlier this week.

Police on Thursday arrested Chan Wai-leung, now 52, after he was intercepted by mainland Chinese authorities across the border over his alleged role in the fire in January 1997, which also left 13 people injured at the time.

Chan’s apprehension means six of the seven people linked to the arson have been either arrested or sentenced so far.

The Post revisits the tragedy and its aftermath.

1. What happened at the karaoke bar in 1997?

The Top One karaoke bar was firebombed at around 4am on January 25, 1997. About 75 customers and 25 staff were inside the venue at the time.

Flames and smoke roared quickly up the stairs and through air-conditioning vents into a maze of tiny rooms, quickly overcoming staff and customers.