A devastating fire engulfed high-rise apartment buildings in Hong Kong overnight, resulting in the tragic loss of 44 lives with 279 individuals still unaccounted for. Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the night to rescue residents from the raging inferno, marking the city’s deadliest fire in recent memory.
The blaze originated in a housing complex located in the Tai Po district of the New Territories on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 26. By the following morning, the death toll had reached 44, and efforts to extinguish the fire were ongoing.
A team of 767 firefighters is currently combatting the flames, and hundreds of residents were evacuated as the fire spread across seven of the eight buildings in the Wang Fuk Court housing estate. Additionally, 29 individuals are receiving medical treatment in local hospitals.
The housing complex, housing approximately 4,800 residents, including many elderly individuals, comprises nearly 2,000 flats. Constructed in the 1980s, the complex was undergoing significant renovations prior to the tragic incident.
Authorities have arrested three individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire. Concerns have been raised regarding the fire resistance standards of the exterior building materials, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed condolences for a fallen firefighter and extended sympathies to the victims’ families, emphasizing the importance of minimizing casualties. The Fire Services Department reported progress in controlling the fire at three of the affected buildings by midnight.
Amidst the chaos, approximately 900 individuals were evacuated to temporary shelters, while the intense heat hindered rescue operations. The fire rapidly spread along bamboo scaffolding and construction netting surrounding the buildings, prompting a massive deployment of emergency personnel.
Despite facing challenges, firefighters relentlessly directed water at the engulfed structures from elevated ladder trucks. The severity of the situation prompted the elevation of the fire to a level five alarm as night descended.
Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of Fire Service operations, highlighted the obstacles faced by rescue teams due to falling debris and high temperatures within the buildings. The fire department received numerous distress calls from trapped residents, leading to a substantial response effort involving over 140 fire trucks and 60 ambulances.
Tragically, among the casualties was a 37-year-old firefighter, while another firefighter required treatment for heat exhaustion. Residents, like Wu who witnessed her property burning, expressed frustration and helplessness in the face of the disaster.
Tai Po, situated in the northern part of Hong Kong’s New Territories near the border with Shenzhen, is known for its reliance on bamboo scaffolding in construction projects. The government had previously announced plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding due to safety concerns, making the fire a stark reminder of the risks associated with such practices.