The carrier’s lounge has been closed after guests and staff were evacuated. - Photo: Facebook/Hong Kong Airport Live Discussion Forum
HONG KONG: Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airway’s business lounge, The Pier, has been forced to close for urgent repairs after a fire broke out on Saturday (Sept 28) and triggered an evacuation of more than 250 people.
The airline said the blaze broke out at its supporting facilities on Saturday morning and staff on duty immediately alerted firefighters.
The lounge is the carrier’s largest premium facility at the airport, serving thousands of travellers a day.
Police said they received a report of smoke coming from an electrical meter room at the lounge at 9.55am, with 252 people being evacuated from the scene.
The force noted that 52 were staff, while 200 were passengers. No injury was reported.
“An initial investigation suspected that a short circuit was involved, which was deemed to be not suspicious,” a police spokesman said.
Cathay apologised to travellers for the inconvenience caused.
“As the lounge is temporarily closed for repairs until further notice, we have arranged for customers to transfer to other Cathay Pacific lounges before boarding their flights,” it said in a statement.
It added that it will also inform eligible customers who have checked in about the changes in the service.
The Pier, located at level 6 at the Terminal 1 near Gate 65, boasts top-notch services “modelled after seminal Hong Kong experiences”, according to Cathay. It offers signature dishes, tea and drinks, local-style noodles and Western food.
The lounges are available to first and business class passengers, selected Cathay members and oneworld alliance partner programme members. - South China Morning Post
