XN000022-1978-10-26 — Page 7

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1978

FACTORY OWNERS WARNED AGAINST FIRE HAZARDS

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OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING INSPECTED AT RANDOM MORE THAN 470 FACTORY UNITS IN 22 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN HUNG HOM.

DURING THE INSPECTION, WHICH WAS PART OF AN INTENSIVE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THE MEANS OF ESCAPE, FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS, METAL-GATES ACROSS COMMON CORRIDORS AND ROOF-TOP EXITS OF THE BUILDINGS.

AS A RESULT, 67 FACTORY OWNERS WERE SERVED WITH FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES, REQUIRING THEM TO CLEAR THE DANGERS WITHIN A STIPULATED PERIOD. FIRE OFFICERS ALSO FOUND THREE CASES OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING ALTERNATIONS AND ONE ILLEGAL ROOF-TOP STRUCTURE.

DIVISION OFFICER, MR. KEN HODGKINS WHO HEADED THE OPERATION SAID IT WAS REGRETABLE THAT THE OCCUPANTS IN SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS HAD IGNORED THE BASIC FIRE PREVENTION RULES.

CONDITIONS FOUND IN THESE BUILDINGS WERE FAR FROM SATISFACTORY.

HE ADDED.

+ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST THE OFFENDERS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECTED TO ROUTINE VISITS AND INSPECTIONS,+ HE WARNED.