A 13-year-old boy in Hong Kong was rescued after climbing out of a window and onto an external air-conditioning unit to escape a fire at his home on Wednesday (7 Oct).
His 42-year-old mother was later arrested on suspicion of child neglect after police reportedly found that the boy had been left home alone.
Police received reports of a fire at Tsui To House in Tsui Ping (North) Estate, Kwun Tong, at around 7.54pm.
Source: The Standard
Footage circulating online showed thick black smoke pouring from the flat as the boy, dressed only in his underwear, climbed through a window and stood on the air-conditioning unit outside.
Firefighters subsequently used a ladder to reach and rescue him.
The teenager remained conscious but was suspected of suffering from smoke inhalation. He was later taken to a hospital for treatment.
The fire was put out by fire fighters about half an hour after it broke out.
Around 70 residents also reportedly evacuated the building during the incident.
Source: The Standard
Preliminary investigations indicated that a charger in the living room may have sparked the blaze, although firefighters are still investigating the exact cause.
Police later found reason to suspect that the teenager had been left alone in the flat at the time of the fire.
Source: The Standard
His 42-year-old mother, surnamed Ho, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of child abuse or neglect and remains under investigation.
The case has also been handed over to the Kwun Tong police district crime investigation team.
Also read: 11-year-old boy in Hong Kong steers car after father faints while driving
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com
Featured image adapted from The Standard.