Authorities look for link to illegal fuel operations as truck goes up in flames

2026.03.17 09:50 The truck is engulfed by a fierce fire in Kwai Chung. Photo: Handout Hong Kong authorities are investigating whether a fire at a Kwai Chung car park that sent thick black smoke high into the sky on Tuesday afternoon was linked to the operation of an illegal fuel station. The Fire Services Department received a report shortly after 2pm of a truck ablaze at a car park on Container Port Road South in Kwai Chung. Witnesses said explosions were heard as the vehicle was engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing high above the area and visible across western Kowloon. The car park is near container terminal 4. Thick black smoke could be seen across western Kowloon. Photo: Handout Firefighters arrived and put out the blaze in about seven minutes. No injuries were reported. Online footage shows an intense fire consuming the truck, with thick smoke rising into the air. Vehicles passing on a nearby flyover appear to drive through a cloud of black haze. The truck was reduced to a burnt-out frame. Photo: Handout The truck was reduced to a charred frame and two nearby motorcycles were also damaged. The department is investigating whether the vehicle was being used as a mobile illegal fuel station. Authorities have recently focused on tackling illicit fuelling operations as oil prices soar amid conflict in the Middle East, with many suspected sites raided in law enforcement drives.

原文链接: 南华早报