Hong Kong Fire Claims at Least 13 Lives, Displaces Thousands
Hong Kong – A massive fire has engulfed a residential housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, resulting in at least 13 confirmed fatalities and the evacuation of over a thousand residents, according to local officials. More than 700 firefighters are currently battling the blaze at the Wang Fuk Court estate, which broke out Wednesday afternoon.
The fire,which originated in one block of the eight-building complex undergoing extensive renovations,quickly spread due to external scaffolding,hindering firefighting efforts and trapping residents. The Wang Fuk Court estate is home to approximately 4,600 people. The incident underscores the challenges of fire safety in densely populated urban areas undergoing construction, and raises questions about building regulations and emergency response protocols in Hong Kong.
Tai Po District councillor Mui Siu-fung told BBC Chinese that seven of the estateS eight blocks were affected by the fire. “The block where the fire frist started – you could see flames inside thru the windows,” he said. A small blaze also ignited in the eighth block, but was quickly extinguished by firefighters from below.
Firefighters are currently unable to safely enter the buildings to conduct search and rescue operations.evacuations began around 3:00 PM local time (7:00 AM GMT), with approximately 95% of residents now relocated. Over a thousand evacuees were initially gathered at the Kwong Fuk Shopping Center, before being moved to temporary shelters established by the Home Affairs Department in community centers and schools.
Reuters images show significant damage to the exterior of the buildings,with scaffolding ablaze. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
