A rapid-moving fire erupted on the exterior of Lee Theatre Plaza in Hong Kong’s busy Causeway Bay district on Tuesday afternoon, quickly consuming a portion of a synthetic green wall and prompting a swift response from fire services. The incident, which occurred around 12:53 p.m. at 99 Percival Street, forced the temporary closure of several retail outlets but resulted in no reported injuries. Authorities are investigating the cause, with preliminary evidence strongly suggesting the improper disposal of a discarded cigarette initiated the blaze on the highly flammable artificial foliage.
Rapid Response Contained External Blaze
The fire originated on the exterior façade of the commercial complex before noon, with eyewitnesses reporting that flames accelerated rapidly up the building’s artificial greenery. Thick, dark smoke was visible across the bustling retail area before fire crews, utilizing a breathing apparatus team, a single hose line, and an aerial ladder, brought the situation under control. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department successfully extinguished the blaze by 1:43 p.m., within an hour of the initial alarm. Following the immediate knockdown, crews performed extensive damping-down operations to eliminate any risk of re-ignition, particularly within the synthetic material.
The building owner, Hysan Development Company Limited, confirmed that the fire was strictly confined to the outdoor green wall installation, leaving the interior structures and other sections of Lee Theatre Plaza unaffected. Tenants located on the ground floor up to the fourth floor progressively resumed normal business operations by 1:30 p.m.
Suspected Cause: Improper Cigarette Disposal
The police investigation, launched immediately following the incident, focuses on surveillance footage reviewed by both the company and fire investigators. This footage reportedly captures an individual pressing a burning cigarette butt into the artificial greenery shortly before the fire began, raising serious concerns regarding public safety and the flammability of exterior decorative materials in dense urban environments.
Hysan Development stated that fire services personnel suspect a passerby’s careless action—using the outdoor wall installation to extinguish smoking material—triggered the incident. While artificial green walls offer aesthetic appeal, experts caution that many synthetic materials can accelerate fire spread, particularly when installed vertically, effectively creating a chimney for flames.
Key Safety Takeaways for Public and Property Managers:
- Mind Extinguished Materials: Never dispose of cigarettes or matches by pressing them against or throwing them into planters, decorative walls, or waste bins made of synthetic or dry organic materials.
- Assess Facade Flammability: Property managers must critically review the fire rating of all exterior decorative materials, especially non-organic façades, to ensure compliance with urban fire safety standards.
- Establish Smoking Zones: Clearly designated and safely equipped smoking areas with approved receptacles are essential to mitigate risks near high foot traffic retail areas.
Broader Implications for Urban Aesthetics
This incident underscores an ongoing tension between modern architectural trends—like the increasing use of expansive facade vegetation for sustainability and aesthetics—and essential fire safety requirements in high-density areas. While no one was directly injured in the Causeway Bay fire, the rapid spread of the flame serves as a critical local reminder of the potential consequences of combining highly flammable synthetic materials with public negligence. Authorities will continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence to conclude the formal investigation into what caused the dramatic, if short-lived, environmental fire.