A catastrophic fire has torn through a residential complex in Hong Kong, claiming 55 lives and forcing approximately 900 residents to flee their homes in what authorities describe as one of the deadliest blazes in the city's modern history.
Firefighters Battle Intense Blaze
Firefighters continued their desperate struggle to control the inferno for a second day on Thursday, confronting one of Hong Kong's most devastating fires in decades. The fire began on Wednesday afternoon and rapidly consumed multiple high-rise towers within the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district, a northern suburb near the mainland border.
Thick, black smoke continued to pour from the buildings on Thursday morning as emergency services worked tirelessly to contain the situation. The fire services confirmed that the blaze had spread across seven of the complex's eight buildings, though they had managed to bring four towers under control by morning.
Among the 55 confirmed fatalities was one brave firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty. At least 62 people sustained injuries, with many suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation.
Arrests Made and Safety Concerns Raised
Hong Kong police have taken three men into custody in connection with the tragedy. The directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company face arrest on suspicion of manslaughter following allegations of gross negligence.
Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung stated unequivocally: "We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent." Authorities suspect that substandard materials used on the buildings' exterior walls may have contributed to the fire's unusually rapid spread.
The investigation suggests the fire originated on external scaffolding surrounding a 32-storey tower before spreading via bamboo scaffolding and construction netting into the building interior and subsequently to adjacent structures. Windy conditions likely accelerated the fire's progression.
Rescue Operations Face Extreme Challenges
Firefighting and rescue efforts encountered severe obstacles throughout the operation. Deputy Director of Fire Service Operations Derek Armstrong Chan described the dangerous conditions: "Debris and scaffolding of the affected buildings is falling down. The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high. It's difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations."
Fire crews directed water streams at the intense flames from elevated ladder trucks, but the combination of falling debris and extreme heat made interior access exceptionally challenging.
The Wang Fuk Court complex, built in the 1980s, comprises eight buildings containing nearly 2,000 apartments housing approximately 4,800 residents, including many elderly individuals. The complex had been undergoing significant renovation work at the time of the fire.
Aftermath and Response
Approximately 900 displaced residents found shelter in temporary accommodations overnight. Hong Kong leader John Lee reported that as of midnight, 279 people remained unaccounted for, though rescue operations continued.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed his condolences for the fallen firefighter and extended sympathies to victims' families through state broadcaster CCTV. He emphasised the importance of minimising casualties and losses.
This tragedy represents Hong Kong's deadliest fire in nearly three decades, surpassing the November 1996 commercial building fire in Kowloon that claimed 41 lives over 20 hours.
