A fierce blaze has torn through a residential high-rise complex in Hong Kong, resulting in four fatalities and leaving a trail of destruction in the Tai Po district.
Emergency Response and Casualties
The fire department confirmed it received the first alarm at 2.51pm local time (0651 GMT) reporting a fire at the Wang Fuk Court estate. The situation escalated rapidly, prompting authorities to upgrade the alert to a No 4 alarm, the second-highest level, by 3.34pm.
Four people have been confirmed dead as a result of the inferno. According to reports from public broadcaster RTHK, which cited police sources, several residents remained trapped inside the burning towers during the emergency response. Two individuals were transported to hospital in a critical condition after sustaining severe burns.
The incident also resulted in injuries among the fire services staff who were battling the intense flames that consumed the 31-storey towers.
Scene of the Blaze
Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene with thick, grey smoke billowing from multiple blocks of the housing complex. The visual drama drew crowds of onlookers to a nearby overhead walkway to witness the emergency operation unfold.
Scores of fire engines and ambulances congested the roads surrounding the complex as emergency teams worked to contain the disaster. Live footage from the location captured the dramatic efforts of firefighters, who aimed powerful streams of water at the flames from elevated ladder trucks.
A notable feature of the buildings was the bamboo scaffolding encasing parts of the structure, a common sight in Hong Kong for construction and renovation works, despite recent government moves to phase it out from public projects over safety considerations.
Wider Impact and Location
The Wang Fuk Court complex is a substantial residential development, comprising eight blocks that provide approximately 2,000 residential units.
The fire's impact extended beyond the immediate estate, causing significant disruption to the area's transport network. Hong Kong's transport department announced the complete closure of a section of the Tai Po Road, one of the city's two principal highways, with bus services being diverted to alternative routes.
Tai Po is a suburban district located in the New Territories of northern Hong Kong, situated near the border with the mainland Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen. At the time of reporting, the fire department had not yet been able to confirm the total number of people who might still have been inside the affected buildings.
