Police found no signs of burning on an approximately half-metre-long snake skin after receiving a report that several teenagers had allegedly set fire to a snake at Tsz Wan Shan Central Playground. Officers said their preliminary assessment was that the snake had already been dead for some time, suggesting the reported incident may have been a misunderstanding rather than a confirmed case of a snake being burned.
The report was received between about 10pm and 10.44pm on August 29, according to one account. Another report said the alleged incident took place at about 10.44pm on August 28, and placed it in the playground’s football pitch. Both accounts referred to the same Tsz Wan Shan playground area, but the timing and precise location could not be reconciled from the reports.
When officers arrived, they found the snake skin in the playground. One report said it had a decomposing odour. A fire extinguisher was also found at the scene, although it was not confirmed whether it had been activated or used in an actual fire.
Reports said the teenagers may have been handling the dead snake and may have taken or used a nearby fire extinguisher. Those actions may have led passers-by to believe they were burning the snake, but the reports did not establish that the snake had been set alight.
A Hungry Ghost Festival stage had been erected at the playground at the time. The reports did not indicate that the stage was connected with the incident.
The number and identities of the teenagers, and whether anyone had been arrested or would face further investigation, remained unconfirmed. The snake’s species, cause of death and exact time of death were also not established. The police findings described in the reports were preliminary.