Passenger's portable fan battery catches fire on MTR, injuring another on waist

A passenger's portable fan battery caught fire at Yau Tong Station, injuring another passenger on the waist, who required hospitalization for treatment.

Around 9 a.m. yesterday (Oct. 2), a 26-year-old man was taking the Tseung Kwan O Line towards North Point. When the train arrived at Yau Tong Station, a passenger's portable fan lithium battery suddenly emitted smoke and caught fire. The man was unable to evade in time and suffered burns to the waist. He was taken to United Christian Hospital by ambulance after the report was received.

In response to inquiries, MTR stated that a train heading towards North Point was approaching Yau Tong Station at approximately 8:53 a.m. yesterday (Oct. 2) when a passenger pressed the emergency call button to notify staff that there was a suspected fire involving a passenger's item in the carriage.

Upon receiving the report, the train control center arranged for staff to handle the situation and informed the Police and Fire Services Department. After the train arrived at Yau Tong Station, staff arranged for passengers to disembark.

A male passenger who was suspected to have been sitting next to the item that caught fire sustained injuries to his waist and was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment, according to MTR.

MTR staff discovered burn marks on the seat in the carriage and found what appeared to be a burned battery on the ground. The MTR later arranged for the train to return to the Tseung Kwan O depot for inspection and assisted the police and fire investigation.

The police received the report at around 9 a.m. yesterday (Oct. 2), indicating that there was smoke and fire at MTR Yau Tong Station. Upon arrival, they discovered that a passenger's bag contained a lithium battery portable fan, which was suspected to be the source of the fire.

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