The Government would spare no effort in conserving and if possible restoring those relics damaged in what is suspected to have been an accidental fire at A-Ma Temple, said the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng.

It was distressing to learn that a temple altar and some wall plaques in a pavilion of A-Ma Temple were damaged as a result of the fire, Mr Tam told reporters after a tour of the site on Wednesday (10 February).

A-Ma Temple is included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The fire broke out early on Wednesday morning. The suspected cause was a malfunction of electrical equipment in a pavilion. The affected pavilion of A-Ma Temple remains closed until further notice.

The Secretary pledged the Government would strengthen safety measures and safety promotion in the city’s temples and heritage attractions, in a bid to prevent further accidents.

The Government has always paid great attention to protecting the city’s heritage attractions and makes frequent inspections of them to ensure they are properly managed.

This year’s safety promotion campaign started on 28 January, as the city’s temples usually receive many visitors during the Lunar New Year period in particular. The Fire Services Bureau and the Cultural Affairs Bureau have between them inspected more than 20 temples to promote fire safety message.