Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, announced that a fire in a densely populated highrise residential complex in Tai Po, New Territories, resulted in 36 fatalities and left 279 individuals unaccounted for. Lee also mentioned that 29 people were still receiving medical care in hospitals.
The fire, which started in the housing complex and was described as “coming under control” after midnight, prompted the evacuation of around 700 individuals to temporary shelters. The incident, reported in the afternoon and escalated to a Level 5 alarm by the fire department, posed significant challenges due to high temperatures and falling debris and scaffolding, according to Derek Armstrong Chan, the Deputy Director of Hong Kong’s fire services.
The cause of the fire, believed to have originated from external scaffolding before spreading inside the building and to nearby blocks, remained unknown. Officials noted that windy conditions likely contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Reports indicated that multiple residents remained trapped as emergency calls continued throughout the night.
Video footage captured the intense fire engulfing multiple buildings within the Wang Fuk housing complex. The complex, established in 1983, comprises eight blocks with almost 2,000 apartments accommodating approximately 4,800 residents.
Tragically, among the deceased was a firefighter, while another firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. The firefighting efforts involved 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances, with a focus on rescuing trapped individuals, many of whom were believed to be elderly residents, as shared by Lo Hiu-fung, a Tai Po District Council member.
As night fell, images showed the heroic efforts of firefighters battling the blaze from ladder trucks, aiming water at the flames. The incident drew attention to the prevalence of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong construction projects, a practice the government intends to phase out due to safety concerns.
Tai Po, located in the northern part of Hong Kong near the border with Shenzhen, is known for its suburban setting. The devastating fire has left the community in shock and mourning, with some residents expressing the emotional impact of witnessing their homes consumed by the flames.