A massive fire has ripped through several high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, leaving at least 83 dead and more than 270 people still unaccounted for. The devastating blaze, the deadliest in the city in over 70 years, engulfed seven of the eight buildings at the Wang Fuk Court complex, which houses thousands of residents.
The fire broke out around 14:51 local time on Wednesday, sending thick grey smoke across the skyline. By 18:22, authorities had escalated the situation to a level-five emergency, Hong Kong’s highest fire alert.
Tragically, firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, lost his life while responding to the incident. Eleven other firefighters were injured as rescue operations continue under extremely hazardous conditions, including intense heat, falling debris, and unstable scaffolding. So far, 55 residents have been rescued.
Authorities have arrested three construction executives on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence, as concerns mount over the role of unsafe building materials. Renovation works had left some fire alarms switched off, and non-fireproof materials such as plastic sheets, mesh, and polystyrene may have contributed to the rapid spread of flames. Bamboo scaffolding, commonly used in Hong Kong, may have also intensified the blaze.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee confirmed that the fire is now “basically under control” and pledged a thorough investigation. Inspections of all housing estates undergoing renovations are being launched to assess the safety of scaffolding and building materials, with officials considering whether metal frameworks should replace bamboo scaffolding.
Residents are expressing outrage on social media, questioning safety standards and holding responsible parties accountable for what has become a city-wide tragedy.
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