The death toll from the most lethal fire in Hong Kong in many years has now reached 55 individuals. Of these, 51 were discovered at the scene, and an additional four succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment in a hospital following a devastating fire that swept through numerous residential buildings in the northern Tai Po district on Wednesday.
A total of 767 firefighters have been engaged in combating the fire, which originated in one of the structures within the Wang Fuk Court complex at 2:51 pm local time before spreading to a group of buildings. Despite efforts, thick smoke continued to emanate from the complex, which houses approximately 4,600 residents across nearly 2,000 flats in eight buildings.
While fires in four of the buildings have been successfully extinguished, the remaining three towers are currently under control. Authorities anticipate that operations may extend into Thursday evening.
Tragically, firefighter Ho Wai-ho lost his life while bravely battling the blaze. Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung expressed deep sorrow at the loss, stating, “I am profoundly grieved at the passing of Mr. Ho, who lost his life in the course of an operation.”
Over 70 individuals sustained injuries, with many suffering from burns and smoke inhalation, as reported by the city’s Hospital Authority.
One resident, Lawrence Lee, recounted the harrowing experience of his wife being trapped in their apartment during the fire. He described the challenging conditions she faced while attempting to evacuate, illustrating the chaos and danger that ensued.
Approximately 900 people were evacuated to temporary shelters, with some residents, like Winter and Sandy Chung, recalling the intense moments of their escape. The Chungs described witnessing sparks flying around them as they made their way to safety, with Mr. Chung expressing how the ordeal kept him awake throughout the night.
In a significant development, three individuals, including directors and an engineering consultant from a construction company, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Authorities, including Supt. Eileen Chung, voiced concerns over alleged negligence by those responsible for the construction works. Investigations are ongoing, with police seizing pertinent documents from the offices of the construction company involved.
Authorities suspect that the fire spread rapidly due to materials on the building exteriors failing to meet fire resistance standards. Notably, the presence of highly flammable Styrofoam attached to windows contributed to the swift propagation of the fire, raising questions about the safety protocols in place.
The fire’s origin on the external scaffolding of Wang Cheong House, followed by its rapid spread through bamboo scaffolding and construction netting, highlighted potential vulnerabilities in building regulations. Australian fire safety expert Alex Webb emphasized the importance of proper spacing between structures to prevent such incidents from escalating beyond their initial location.
Reports indicated that extensive renovations were underway at the complex, originally constructed in the 1980s. Bamboo scaffolding, a common sight in Hong Kong’s construction landscape, was prevalent on the buildings, prompting discussions about safety measures and the need for regulatory compliance.
Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed condolences to the firefighter’s family and other victims’ families, expressing solidarity during this tragic time. Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, informed the public that contact had been lost with 279 individuals, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by rescue operations.