The Fire Services and other relevant departments are well equipped to detect and identify different gases at scenes of suspected gas leaks, says the Secretary for Security Regina Ip.

Speaking at the Legislative Council in response to a question from Eric Li, Regina Ip noted that 1,359 suspected gas leak cases were handled in the past three years.

Of these cases, 187 involved liquefied petroleum gas, 1,081 involved towngas and 67 involved other gases, such as chemicals from laboratories and unpleasant odours from refuse collection chambers or drains.

Another 24 cases - including 12 in residential and school areas -  were classified as "unknown gas leakage" as the existence and sources of the gases could not be identified.

The Secretary pointed out that, in general, staff from the Fire Services and the Police attend to these cases to carry out rescue and investigation as well as crowd control and security.

Other parties such as the Environmental Protection Department, Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, Government Laboratory, Labour Department, and relevant public utilities and gas suppliers provide expert advice and assistance on the spot as and when needed.