Major Hong Kong Housing Estate Fire Claims 13 Lives
A devastating fire has ripped through a high-rise housing estate in Hong Kong, leaving at least thirteen people dead and fifteen others injured. The blaze broke out at the Wang Fuk Court estate in the northern Tai Po district, home to approximately 4,600 residents.
Rapid Spread and Massive Emergency Response
The fire was first reported at 2.51pm local time (6.51am GMT) in a block named Wang Cheong House. Fuelled by bamboo scaffolding and construction netting surrounding the buildings, the flames spread with alarming speed to neighbouring Wang Tai House and Wang Shing House, eventually engulfing the entire cluster.
Due to the fire's rapid escalation, officials were forced to upgrade the alert level. It was raised from a level four at 3.34pm to the highest level, number five, by 6.22pm.
A huge emergency services operation is underway, with 767 firefighters across 128 fire engines, 57 ambulances, and 400 police officers deployed to battle the inferno and assist residents.
Evacuations and Official Condolences
Authorities have evacuated over 1,000 people from the immediate area as a safety precaution. The Wang Fuk Court estate comprises 1,984 apartments across its high-rise buildings.
In response to the tragedy, Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The incident has raised immediate questions about the use of traditional bamboo scaffolding for major renovations, a common practice in Hong Kong, and its role in the fire's rapid progression across multiple residential blocks.
