Deadly Hong Kong Inferno Claims 65 Lives as Community Reels
A catastrophic fire that engulfed a Hong Kong residential complex has claimed at least 65 lives, including one firefighter, with more than 270 people still missing as emergency services continue their desperate search operations. The blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po district began on Wednesday afternoon and continued burning for over 24 hours, marking one of Hong Kong's worst building fire disasters in history.
Chaos and Rescue Efforts Amidst the Flames
Fire crews battled desperately against the inferno that rapidly spread through the eight-tower complex, home to approximately 4,800 residents. The buildings, which had been undergoing extensive renovation, were shrouded in bamboo scaffolding and mesh that may have contributed to the fire's rapid progression. Despite continuous efforts using cherry pickers to blast water at mid-level floors, the upper levels of the 31-storey towers remained out of reach for much of the operation.
James Tang, a resident who was away when the fire broke out, described the horrifying scene: "I watched from the outside as the building burned," he told reporters outside a local primary school serving as an emergency shelter. Tang expressed particular sorrow for the firefighter who lost his life, stating "The fireman tried to save us from the fire, tried to stop the fire and then he lost his life."
Community Response and Growing Anger
The local community has mobilised to support the displaced residents, with volunteers establishing makeshift markets providing donated clothes, food and essential supplies. Meanwhile, anger is growing among survivors who claim safety measures failed during the emergency.
Connie Chu, a 42-year resident of the complex, revealed that no fire alarm sounded during the initial outbreak. "There should have been [an alarm]," she insisted. "When I came out I saw one building on fire, it was a horrible, huge fire. We were so worried." Her building was the only one in the eight-tower complex that escaped the flames.
Hong Kong police have described the fire's cause as potentially resulting from "grossly negligent" action, with three individuals from the construction company responsible for the renovation works already arrested. The Independent Commission Against Corruption has established a dedicated taskforce to investigate the tragedy.
Safety Concerns and Ongoing Investigation
Long-standing complaints about the renovation project have surfaced in the aftermath, including allegations that construction workers had switched off fire alarms months earlier and smoked on site. Broader concerns about safety standards for construction mesh have also emerged, with videos circulating online showing how quickly the material burns.
As night fell on Thursday, the area remained crowded with emergency services, distraught family members, and volunteers. Pastor Samson Wong from Cumberland Presbyterian church was among those providing emotional support to grieving families, noting that while material needs were being met, "they need emotional support" during this devastating time.
The death toll continues to rise as firefighters gradually gain access to the upper floors, with the community united in grief and demanding answers about how such a tragedy could occur in modern Hong Kong.
