Police have arrested a 55-year-old man in connection with a fire on board an MTR train at Admiralty Station that sent 14 people, aged between 2 and 54, to Queen Mary Hospital.

The man, who is suspected of having started the fire, was detained when he visited Tuen Mun Hospital's Accident & Emergency Department at about 11pm yesterday. He was suffering burn injuries.

Commenting on the incident today, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee strongly condemned the suspect as the MTR is a major public transport mode and millions of people depend on the trains everyday.

Civic-mindedness key to fighting crime

He said it was fortunate that passengers remained calm and MTR staff responded quickly during the incident.

Mr Lee stressed that public transport services here are still safe, adding that civic-mindedness is the key to preventing such incidents.

The fire was reported at about 9.14am yesterday. One coach was reportedly engulfed by smoke when it arrived at the station and fire was seen. About 1,200 passengers on board were evacuated. 

While MTR staff put out the blaze, train service between Admiralty and Tsuen Wan was suspended for more than 30 minutes. The service resumed normal at 9.42am.

A man, 12 women and one child were sent to hospital.  They were discharged after receiving medical treatment.

Thinner, gas cylinders found at the scene

The Fire Services Department said suspicious circumstances were detected, and handed the case over to the Police for further investigation. Quantities of suspected thinner and gas cylinders such as those used for camping were found at the scene.

The Regional Crime Unit of Hong Kong Island is looking into the case, and the motive for the attack.

Hotline set up to gather information

Police Railway District Commander Albert Kwok said at a press briefing that the case was not related to terrorism. A hotline, 2859 8500, has been set up for witnesses to provide information on the incident.

MTRC Chief Executive Officer CK Chow also condemned the individual who is believed to have brought inflammable materials on board the train and set them alight when the train was approaching Admiralty Station.

He said boarding MTR trains with inflammable materials is an offence. In view of the incident, the company has stepped up surveillance, he added.