Hong Kong waste facility fire forces hundreds to evacuate

HONG KONG -- A fire broke out at an integrated waste management facility in Hong Kong at noon on Monday, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of workers, according to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

The blaze, which started at 12:43 pm local time on an artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau, was later upgraded to a No 3 alarm fire, according to a government press release.

Two jets and two breathing apparatus teams were dispatched to fight the blaze. No casualties have been reported so far.