[File photo]

At least 16 people were injured in a deliberately lit fire on board a packed MTR train at Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) Station during Friday's evening rush hour. It is believed the man responsible had tried to set himself on fire.

Two people are in a critical condition, six were rushed to emergency wards while the others were in a stable condition. The injured people were sent to different hospitals.

Passengers were evacuated after the fire started. The TST Station was closed after the incident. All services to the station were suspended.

Police arrested a 60-year-old man on suspicion of arson. He is believed to have started a fire with "inflammable liquid" on the train. The man was “incoherent” when questioned, police said.

The police deployed officers from criminal and anti-terrorism units to the area. Further investigations are underway.

The police's Yau Tsim District Commander Kwok Pak-chung said the suspect's motive was believed to be due to personal problems. So far there is no evidence of a terrorist attack, Kwok said.

Photos and videos of the suspected self-immolation went viral on social media. Some showed the man with his trousers on fire, standing in the middle of the platform as shocked passengers looked on. Another showed him lying on the ground. Several people tried to put out the fire with their clothes while it continued burning inside the train.

According to a witness, the suspect threatened to "burn the passengers". He then set himself on fire with a bottle of inflammable liquid. The witness said people could smell chemicals.

The fire broke out around 7:15 pm as train was traveling from Admiralty to TST. The driver had driven the train to the TST Station at the fastest speed. Warnings were displayed at the station that a "serious incident" has occurred and everyone needed to leave immediately.

MTR staff extinguished the fire with the help of some passengers, MTR head of operations Francis Li Shing-Kei said. He said the company will cooperate with police and ensure people's safety.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying expressed great concern over the incident. He requested relevant departments to investigate it.

Leung also extended his sympathies to the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, CE hopefuls Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and John Tsang Chun-wah expressed their shock. They also extended their condolences to the injured.