The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department announced on Thursday that some services have been suspended as a result of a fire happened on Thursday morning.

The services include the stamp office, business registration office, estate duty office, collection office, inspection office, central enquiry counters and telephone enquiry, the department said, adding that it will declare resumption of services of these services as soon as possible.

"As far as possible, people should put off visiting the offices for service to another day. Stamping of documents due today will be extended to tomorrow," a spokesman for the department said.

According to local media reports, a man used a flammable liquid to set fire to counters in a fourth floor office of the Department before fleeing. More than 100 people were evacuated from Revenue Tower in Wanchai.

Local police said that the blaze was quickly put out, and no staff or members of the public were injured. However, the arsonist may have suffered burns while setting the fire.

The motive for the attack is not known, the police said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2008)