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The fire which broke out at Cornwall Court, 687-689 Nathan Road, Mong Kok this morning (August 10) was upgraded to No.5 alarm at 12.16pm.
Firemen are still fighting the blaze using 3 jets and 5 breathing apparatus teams.
So far, 47 persons were sent to Kwong Wah Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Caritas Medical Centre and Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment.
The Yau Tsim Mong District Office has set up the inter-departmental help desk at the entrance of Kwong Wah Hospital to answer general public enquiries.
The help desk hotline is 2384 8151. The District Office has opened Mong Kok Community Hall, located on Level 2, Mong Kong Complex, 557 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, to accommodate residents affected by the fire.
All lanes of northbound Nathan Road between Mong Kok Road and Waterloo Road, and southbound Nathan Road between Mong Kok Road and Argyle Street are closed to all traffic. Motorists are advised not to drive into Mong Kok area. Members of the public may consider using railway service. Affected bus routes have been diverted. Cross Harbour Bus routes from Hong Kong to Kowloon running via Nathan Road are terminated at Hung Hom Hong Kong Polytechnic University bus stop. Bus services from Kowloon East has been truncated at Kowloon City Roundabout; bus services from Kowloon West has been truncated at Sham Shui Po; bus services from Kowloon South/ Tsim Sha Tsui has been suspended. Passengers are advised to pay attention to the bus companies' notices. Motorists are advised to use alternative route(s) such as Ferry Street and Waterloo Road.
Ends/Sunday, August 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 13:41
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