A massive fire that tore through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has left at least 36 people dead, with 279 residents reported missing, authorities confirmed.
The blaze erupted shortly before 3pm on Wednesday, igniting on the bamboo scaffolding surrounding one of the towers before rapidly spreading across seven of the complex’s eight 32-storey buildings.
High winds accelerated the fire, forcing more than 900 residents into temporary shelters and sending 29 people to hospital.
Firefighters deployed over 140 fire trucks and more than 60 ambulances, battling intense heat and falling debris as they worked through the night.
By shortly after midnight, flames in three towers were “coming under control,” though unsafe conditions prevented crews from entering upper floors.
“The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high,” said Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of Fire Service operations.
“It’s difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations.”
The complex, home to roughly 4,800 people, had recently undergone renovations, with bamboo scaffolding and construction netting installed around the buildings.
Authorities noted the speed of the spread was unusual and will investigate whether external materials met fire safety standards, as well as whether criminal factors played a role.
Hong Kong leader John Lee said a dedicated investigation team has been formed. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an “all-out effort” to control the fire and minimise losses.
The blaze has shut down part of Tai Po Road, one of Hong Kong’s main highways, and forced six schools to close due to severe congestion.
Source: ABC.
