Hong Kong: Two young sons of a British actor living in Hong Kong were killed when fire tore through their home, reports said yesterday.
Emergency services rushed to the home of Simon Watkiss, who has appeared in a handful ofHong Kong-made films, when fire broke out at 1am on Saturday.
The two brothers, aged seven and eight, were carried unconscious from the family’s house and taken to hospital suffering suspected smoke inhalation, where they were pronounced dead, police told reporters.
A domestic helper injured in the fire was taken to hospital in a critical condition, while the boys’ parents escaped without injury.
“As some of you know the worst thing that could ever happen has happened! My house burned down and my two beautiful sons Eliot and Frankie died in the fire,” a message posted on Watkiss’s Facebook page said yesterday.
“Thank you to those who sent messages they make me cry but as I loved my sons as did Candy we want to be reminded of them forever!! Thank you all.”
On the Facebook page Watkiss describes himself as a self-employed actor who has appeared in Hong Kong-made films and commercials.
The British expatriate and his wife Candy were said by friends to be devastated at their loss, according to the English language South China Morning Post newspaper. Police investigating the blaze at the house, in Hong Kong’s rural north, said the fire was not thought to be suspicious.
AFP
