Woman dies, two critical after fire at Hong Kong luxury flat

A fire at an upscale apartment in Hong Kong's Mid-Levels district killed one person and left two others fighting for their lives on Saturday. The 30-year-old woman, surnamed Ni and holding a mainland two-way permit, suffered extensive burns across her body. Hospital Authority confirmed she died at 11:20pm at Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai.

Two other victims remain in critical condition at Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam. A 64-year-old local man surnamed Wan sustained severe burns to his limbs and inhaled smoke that damaged his respiratory tract. A 37-year-old mainland Chinese woman surnamed Lu, also visiting on a two-way permit, was the third person injured.

According to sources, the deceased woman and Wan were a couple. Lu was a friend visiting them at the time of the fire. Two-way permits, issued by mainland authorities, allow holders to visit Hong Kong for up to three months.

Police investigated the blaze as suspicious. Officers later discovered drug-taking apparatus in a bedroom of the flat, though authorities did not immediately specify how the fire started or whether drug use played a role.