A heroic Hong Kong firefighter has died while battling a devastating blaze that engulfed multiple residential towers, with the death toll rising to at least twelve people as questions emerge about fire safety failures.
Tragic Loss of a Brave Firefighter
The 37-year-old firefighter, surnamed Ho, lost his life during rescue operations at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district. The nine-year veteran, stationed at Sha Tin Fire Station, arrived at the scene at 3:01 PM local time on Wednesday but lost contact with colleagues just twenty-nine minutes later.
Emergency crews discovered the unconscious firefighter half an hour after he went missing, finding him with severe facial burns in an open area. Despite paramedics performing immediate first aid and CPR at the scene, he was pronounced dead after being transported to hospital.
Multiple Fatalities and Safety Concerns
The tragedy extends far beyond the firefighter's death, with at least twelve confirmed fatalities including eight women and three men. Another sixteen people suffered injuries in the inferno that rapidly spread through bamboo scaffolding surrounding the buildings during renovation work.
Furious residents have reported that fire alarms failed to activate despite the buildings being equipped with modern systems. Former district councillor Herman Yiu Kwan-ho confirmed that residents only noticed the emergency when they smelled burning, with many being alerted by a security guard knocking on doors rather than automated alarms.
Eighty-three-year-old resident Chan Kwong-tak expressed his frustration, stating: "If someone was sleeping then, they were done." Mr Chan revealed he had repeatedly raised concerns about renovation quality and workers smoking near the buildings, but his complaints went unaddressed by management.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Dangers
The fire service has established an emergency hotline (1878 999) for concerned relatives as rescue operations continue. Authorities have evacuated residents, including elderly individuals requiring walking sticks and wheelchairs, to temporary shelters at CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School and community halls in Kwong Fuk and Tung Cheong Street.
Seven casualties have been transported to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital, with two patients remaining in critical condition according to official government statements. The Fire Services Department has advised local residents to remain indoors with windows and doors closed while avoiding the affected area.
With reports of loud explosions continuing as flames spread to adjacent blocks Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House, fears persist that the death toll may rise further as emergency services continue their challenging work in the densely populated Tai Po district, home to approximately 300,000 people.
