Deadly Blaze Engulfs Hong Kong Residential Complex
A catastrophic fire has torn through a high-rise housing estate in Hong Kong, leaving at least 36 people dead and 279 reported missing in what has become the city's deadliest fire in decades. The inferno erupted at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district, with flames and smoke continuing to engulf the 32-storey blocks more than ten hours after the blaze began.
Emergency Response and Rescue Operations
The Fire Services Department received the first emergency call at 2.51pm local time (0651 GMT) reporting flames rapidly spreading across bamboo scaffolding covering at least three apartment blocks. The fire was quickly upgraded to level 5, the highest severity rating, as night fell and conditions worsened.
Massive flames took hold of the scaffolding and construction netting that sheathed the buildings, with strong winds fanning the blaze and causing it to spread to seven of the complex's eight blocks. Video from the scene showed at least five buildings ablaze simultaneously, with orange flames pouring from numerous apartment windows.
More than 800 firefighters battled the intense flames, though rescue operations were severely hampered by extreme temperatures that made accessing the towers' upper floors increasingly difficult. The fire service confirmed that containing the blaze became progressively tougher after nightfall.
Casualties and Community Impact
Chief Executive John Lee confirmed that 29 people are hospitalised while approximately 900 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters. The tragedy has particularly affected elderly residents within the complex, which housed about 4,800 people across nearly 2,000 apartments.
The fire service suffered its own devastating loss when firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, collapsed at the scene and later died in hospital. Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung described Ho as "valiant" and expressed profound grief at losing "a dedicated and gallant fireman" with nine years of service.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the fallen firefighter and extended sympathies to victims' families, while urging efforts to minimise casualties and losses.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
Hong Kong Police have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter as authorities launched a comprehensive investigation into the fire's cause. The probe will examine whether criminal elements were involved and whether exterior wall materials met fire resistance standards.
The rapid spread of flames has raised serious questions about building safety standards, with authorities noting the unusual speed at which the fire progressed. The incident bears chilling similarities to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, where flames similarly spread on the building's exterior.
The Wang Fuk Court complex, built in the 1980s, had been undergoing major renovations costing approximately HK$330 million (£32 million), with each unit contributing between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000. The government had announced plans in March to phase out bamboo scaffolding on public projects due to safety concerns, though the material remains widely used in Hong Kong construction.
The tragedy represents Hong Kong's worst fire since 1996, when 41 people died in a Kowloon commercial building blaze. That incident prompted sweeping updates to building standards and fire safety regulations throughout the city.
