Inferno heroes mourned

(學習重點：加了黃色螢光標記的詞組；火災的不同叫法；Defining and non-defining relative clauses)

These are the two hero firemen who perished (死) trying to save others from the top of an inferno (嚴重火災) in Mong Kok yesterday.

Seniro fireman Siu Wing-fong, 46, and Chan Siu-lung, 25, were trying to reach two women trapped (被困) on the upper floors.

Siu was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Chan to Kwong Wah Hospital , where they were certified dead.

Siu, who was married with a 12-year-old daughter, had served in the fire services for 24 years.

Chan joined just a year ago.

Two others were killed and 55 injured in the blaze (嚴重火災) that raged through the 15-story residential building.

A 77-year-old woman who was badly burned (留意有逗號和沒有逗號的分別) died of her injuries.

Another charred body was found on the mezzanine floor and had not been identified at press time.

Of the injured, three of whom were firefighters, a 26-year-old man was listed as being in critical condition, three others are in serious condition and 36 listed as stable.

The remaining 15 were allowed to leave after treatment.

The fire, which broke out at 9.20 a .m., was upgraded to No. 4 alarm around 10.25 a .m. and to a No. 5 alarm at 12.18 p.m.

The fire was believed to have started in a nightclub and karaoke bar on the first floor of Cornwall Court (嘉禾大厦), a commercial and residential building on Nathan Road. Most of the road was blanketed in thick smoke.

Director of Fire Services Lo Chun-hung said there were no suspicious circumstances and that both the dead firemen had worn protective clothing.

"We believe Chan died of smoke inhalation as no serious external injuries were found," Kwong Wah Hospital chief of services of department of accident and emergency Tung Wai-kit said.

"The condition of most of the patients [in the four hospitals] is stable and some have been discharged,” Hospital Authority director of quality and safety Dr Leung Pak-yin said.

And investigation team headed by the Speaking to reporters at the scene, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong expressed his condolences (表達慰問) to the families of the two firefighters. Acting Chief Executive Henry Tang Ying-yen praised their professional spirit.

Director of Fire Services Lo Chun-hung said the rescue operation was difficult because of the intense heat, heavy smoke and narrow passages within the affected premises.

At the height of the blaze entire families and their children on the upper floors were seen waving towels to attract the attention of firefighters.

Many of those who were saved required oxygen on reaching the street.

More than 200 firemen were dispatched to the scene.

Beatrice Siu and Adele Wong
The Standard, 11 August, 2008