Sky lantern sparks fire alert over Hong Kong's Mid-Levels West
A sky lantern with an open flame was spotted floating near high-rise buildings in Mid-Levels West early Saturday, prompting a witness to call police. The Fire Services Department recovered the extinguished lantern. Police are investigating the incident, which netizens condemned as reckless.
Two videos circulating on Threads early Saturday showed a sky lantern with an open flame drifting over Mid-Levels West on Hong Kong Island, surrounded by high-rise buildings. The sighting prompted a witness to call police, warning of the fire risk posed by the device.
The witness reported seeing the lantern near 78 Bonham Road and King's College. In a post, the witness said they saw a flash of fire outside their window in the early hours and immediately called 999. The poster described the act as “outrageous,” noting the lantern drifted and nearly reached residential buildings several times. They warned that dry autumn weather meant a fire could have been disastrous.
The Fire Services Department received a report at 12.59am that a sky lantern had been spotted near 78 Bonham Road. Firefighters arrived within minutes, and the witness helped them find the extinguished lantern on the pavement. The lantern was taken away. Police are investigating who released it.
Netizens condemned the person responsible for ignoring public safety. Under Hong Kong law, illegally releasing sky lanterns or other airborne objects with fire may violate the Forests and Countryside Ordinance or related laws, and offenders face fines and imprisonment.
