Boy rescued from Kwun Tong fire, mother arrested for leaving him alone
A 13-year-old boy was rescued from an air conditioner ledge during a fire at Tsui Ping (North) Estate. His mother, aged 42, was arrested on suspicion of child abuse or neglect after police suspected he was left home alone.
A 13-year-old boy was rescued from an air conditioner ledge outside his flat during a fire at Tsui Ping (North) Estate in Kwun Tong on Wednesday evening, and his mother was arrested on suspicion of leaving him home alone.
The fire broke out at about 7.54pm at a unit in Tsui To House. Neighbours reported seeing heavy black smoke billowing from the flat. The boy, who was wearing only underwear, escaped to a window and stood on the air conditioner unit outside. Firefighters deployed a ladder to rescue him.
He was conscious but suspected of having inhaled smoke and was taken to United Christian Hospital for treatment.
Initial investigations suggested the fire was started by an external power bank in the living room. Police later suspected the boy had been left home alone by his 42-year-old mother, surnamed Ho. She was arrested on suspicion of child abuse or neglect and is being detained for investigation.
The case has been handed to the Kwun Tong police district crime investigation team for further inquiries.