In response to media requires about reports which claimed that some hose reels at Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate ran out of water during a fire this (Friday) morning, a Housing Department spokesman said the hose reels in the block where the fire broke out were functioning properly.

"The fire broke out on the sixth floor of block 9 and an inspection by building services engineer following the fire showed that the water supply system for the hose reels in that particular block was in good working condition.

"There is also no problem with water supply to the hose reels on the ninth floor and above in the adjoining Block 8, though supply to the eighth floor and below through another system is not functioning properly," the spokesman said.

"Preliminary investigation on the spot found that the disruption to water supply to the lower floors in Block 8 is due to the fact that the pressure reducing valve on the ninth floor has been tampered with.

"The valve was last inspected by our fire services contractor in July and was found to be in good order," he noted.

He added that some operating instructions plates on the hose reels on the ninth and sixth floors in Block 8 had been either missing or defaced.

"According to our record, these plates were found to be in good shape by patrolling staff in the estate yesterday," he said.

The spokesman also said the Estate Office had so far contacted 15 families likely to be affected by the fire to see if they needed temporary accommodation but only one family had requested for such accommodation arrangements.

"Any other families affected by the fire and requiring temporary accommodation may approach the Estate Office for assistance," the spokesman said.

End/ Friday, September 8, 1995
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