Thirteen people have been killed and several more hospitalised after a devastating fire tore through a major housing complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon.
Panic in Tai Po as Inferno Spreads
The blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po area, with the Hong Kong Fire Services Department receiving an emergency call at 3.51pm local time. Dramatic footage from the scene showed the fire rapidly climbing the building's exterior bamboo scaffolding, eventually enveloping the entire high-rise in thick, black smoke.
Horrified bystanders were heard screaming "leave, leave!" as they witnessed the inferno consume the 31-storey tower. Videos posted online captured the terrifying chain of events, from the first embers at the base of the building to its full consumption by flames. Burning pieces of scaffolding fell to the ground like fiery twigs, igniting nearby vegetation and increasing the danger for those in the vicinity.
Residents Trapped and Communication Lost
Local councillor Mui Sui-fung confirmed that authorities have been inundated with requests for help from distressed residents who have lost contact with family members inside the complex. "Many people sent us WhatsApp messages or called us, saying they still have relatives inside or can’t find them," Mui told the BBC Chinese service.
The Wang Fuk Court complex consists of eight tower blocks, each 31 storeys high. According to a 2021 government census, the estate provides approximately 1,984 flats for around 4,600 residents.
Evacuation Efforts and Tragic Loss
Councillor Mui reported that residents began evacuating their blocks about ten minutes before firefighters arrived on the scene. He estimated that about 95 percent of residents managed to escape to safety before the area was completely overcome by fire. Three nearby public housing blocks were also cleared as a precaution.
Tragically, the fire claimed 13 lives, including a firefighter who was among the emergency responders. Dozens more people were feared to be inside the building when the fire raged at its peak, though police have not provided an exact number of those potentially trapped.
Firefighters faced significant challenges, with reports indicating they were initially unable to enter the building due to the intensity of the blaze. The community now faces the grim task of accounting for all residents and supporting those who have lost loved ones and homes in one of Hong Kong's most serious residential fires in recent years.
