Deadly Fire in Tung Chung, Hong Kong

May 15, 2026, 04:09
AsiaSociety

Introduction

A fire started in a home in Tung Chung. One woman died and many people had to leave their homes.

Main Body

The fire happened on Friday morning at Hei Tung House. Firefighters arrived at 4:42. They put out the fire by 5:12. About 300 people left the building to stay safe. Firefighters found a 70-year-old woman. She died in the fire. The fire started in one flat. Smoke and heat went into four flats on the same floor. No other people were hurt. Police think the fire started in an air-conditioner. Some people saw black smoke coming from the machine.

Conclusion

The fire is gone. People are back in their homes. The police are still looking for more information.

Learning

🕒 Telling the Story (Past Tense)

When we talk about things that happened yesterday or last week, we change the action word (verb).

Look at these changes from the story:

  • Start →\rightarrow Started
  • Happen →\rightarrow Happened
  • Arrive →\rightarrow Arrived

The Rule: For most words, just add -ed at the end to show it is finished.

🏠 Where is it?

We use in for areas or containers:

  • In a home
  • In Tung Chung
  • In one flat
  • In an air-conditioner

🛠️ Useful 'Action' Pairs

  • Put out →\rightarrow To stop a fire.
  • Leave →\rightarrow To go away from a place.

Vocabulary Learning

fire (n.)
A blaze that burns and gives heat and light.
Example:The fire in the house was put out quickly by the firefighters.
home (n.)
A place where a person lives.
Example:After the fire, the people returned to their homes.
woman (n.)
An adult female human.
Example:A woman died in the fire.
people (n.)
Human beings in general.
Example:Many people had to leave their homes after the fire.
building (n.)
A structure with walls and a roof.
Example:About 300 people left the building to stay safe.
floor (n.)
A level inside a building.
Example:Smoke and heat went into four flats on the same floor.
police (n.)
Law‑enforcement officers who keep safety.
Example:The police are still looking for more information.
smoke (n.)
Particles released when something burns.
Example:Black smoke came from the air‑conditioner.
heat (n.)
Warmth produced by fire or other sources.
Example:Heat from the fire made the building dangerous.
machine (n.)
A device that does work or performs a function.
Example:The air‑conditioner is a type of machine.
information (n.)
Facts or knowledge about something.
Example:The police are still looking for more information.
safe (adj.)
Free from danger or harm.
Example:People left the building to stay safe.