2015年CRI HK Fire Department Criticized after Typhoon Shelter Blaze

 

The Shau Kei Wan¹ Typhoon Shelter in Hong Kong has been cordoned² off after a fire destroyed at least 10 boats, and injured five people on Sunday afternoon.

The cause to the fire is still under investigation³.

The blaze was finally extinguished shortly before midnight, with five people suffering minor⁴ injuries, and ten boats damaged.

Initial reports say a fishing boat was the first to catch fire, and quickly spread to neighboring vessels⁵ after its anchor rope reportedly broke. Loud explosions were also heard on the other side of Victoria Harbour.

At least two fishing families have been left homeless.

A man surnamed Ng who is in charge of yachts at the Shelter has moved some of his belongings⁶ away from the scene.

"All the stuff on the boat, I will take away as much as possible, I am lucky enough to do so. I hope the fire department could deploy⁷ more fire extinguishers along the seashore, and coach the fishermen how to deal with fire," said Ng.

Some groups are criticizing the fire department, saying it did not react quickly enough. Hung Chi Kit⁸ is a Community Organizer of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.

"The fireboats are not ready or on stand-by. In case of emergency, distant water cannot quench⁹ a fire nearby," said Hung.

But the Fire Department has denied the allegation, saying the congested traffic at the shelter slowed the process, and windy weather is also a contributor to the fast spread of the fire.

The cause of the fire is not known yet.

1 wan   

(wide area network)广域网

参考例句：

• The shared connection can be an Ethernet,wireless LAN,or wireless WAN connection.提供共享的网络连接可以是以太网、无线局域网或无线广域网。

2 cordoned   

v.封锁，用警戒线围住( cordon的过去式 )

参考例句：

• Police cordoned off the area until the bomb was defused. 警方封锁了这个地区直到炸弹被拆除为止。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Police cordoned off the road and diverted commuter traffic. 警察封锁了道路并分流交通。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

4 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

5 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 belongings   

n.私人物品，私人财物

参考例句：

• I put a few personal belongings in a bag.我把几件私人物品装进包中。
• Your personal belongings are not dutiable.个人物品不用纳税。

7 deploy   

v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开

参考例句：

• The infantry began to deploy at dawn.步兵黎明时开始进入战斗位置。
• The president said he had no intention of deploying ground troops.总统称并不打算部署地面部队。

8 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

9 quench   

vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制

参考例句：

• The firemen were unable to quench the fire.消防人员无法扑灭这场大火。
• Having a bottle of soft drink is not enough to quench my thirst.喝一瓶汽水不够解渴。