Hong Kong — A tragic blaze engulfed a high-rise residential complex, claiming at least one firefighter’s life and leaving more than 70 individuals injured, many suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation. Efforts to extinguish the flames and facilitate rescues have continued, with authorities indicating that operations are expected to last until at least Thursday evening local time.
As night fell, approximately 900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters. The city’s leader, John Lee, reported that communication lines had been lost with 279 individuals around midnight, raising concerns for their safety. Although rescues are ongoing, updated figures on casualties remained unavailable by midday Thursday.
By Thursday afternoon, fire crews had made progress, bringing the flames under control in four of the seven blocks affected. However, footage captured over 22 hours into the incident showed persistent fire engulfing multiple floors of the two 32-story towers, which were not only wrapped in green construction mesh but also supported by bamboo scaffolding.
“Our first priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue trapped residents,” Lee stated during a press briefing. He emphasized the need to provide medical support for the injured and vowed to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Bamboo scaffolding, a familiar sight in traditional Chinese construction, has faced increasing scrutiny in Hong Kong. Since March, authorities have begun phasing it out due to safety concerns, especially following a series of fatal accidents involving scaffolders. In response to the current disaster, Lee announced immediate inspections of all major renovation projects across the city to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Wang Fuk Court, where the fire erupted, is a densely populated complex in the northern Tai Po district, containing approximately 2,000 apartments. Situated in a city plagued by a chronic shortage of affordable housing, it is home to over 4,600 residents. Many families in Hong Kong now face the daunting challenge of finding temporary accommodations amidst the chaos.
The incident has been deemed the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1948, when a tragic warehouse blaze claimed 176 lives. Comparisons have surfaced with the Grenfell Tower disaster in London, where 72 lives were lost due to inadequate fire safety measures. The Grenfell United survivors group extended their condolences to the victims, expressing solidarity through social media.
Accounts from residents paint a grim picture of panic and despair. One long-time inhabitant reported hearing an explosive noise preceding the outbreak of fire, prompting a desperate scramble to gather belongings. Another resident, frantically searching for her daughter, expressed heartbreak while clutching a graduation photo.
Distress calls have flooded social media as families seek missing loved ones, with an online app detailing reports of individuals still unaccounted for. As the community reels from this tragedy, many voiced frustrations about perceived negligence, suggesting that ongoing renovations and the use of hazardous materials played a role in the disaster’s severity.
China’s President Xi Jinping urged a concerted effort to contain the fire and mitigate casualties. Experts estimate that the combination of flammable materials, closely positioned buildings, and subpar fire safety equipment significantly contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
Renovations on Wang Fuk Court have been ongoing for a year, costing approximately $HK330 million, with units contributing between $HK160,000 and $HK180,000 each. The combination of Hong Kong’s soaring property prices and this catastrophic event is likely to amplify existing public discontent, particularly as the city approaches an election period.