Hong Kong Fire Death Toll Climbs to 44 as Investigations Focus on Construction Materials
HONG KONG – The death toll from a massive fire that engulfed a residential complex in Hong Kong’s Taipo district has risen to at least 44, with at least 71 people injured, according to reports from the Associated Press on Thursday.One firefighter is among the deceased, and approximately 45 people remain in critical condition in hospitals. Nearly 280 people are still unaccounted for.
The blaze, which began Wednesday at the Wang Fuk court apartment complex, quickly spread after igniting bamboo scaffolding and construction mesh on the exterior of one building. The fire is now largely under control, though firefighters anticipate extinguishing it completely will take until at least Thursday evening, with 28 rescue teams continuing operations. This marks Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, raising questions about building safety and construction standards.
Authorities are investigating weather non-compliant fire-resistant materials used during recent renovations contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Three men – two managers and a technical consultant - from a construction company have been detained on suspicion of manslaughter, though police have not yet released the company’s name. The Associated Press previously identified Prestige Construction & Engineering Co.as the firm undertaking the renovations.
The Wang Fuk Court complex, built in the 1980s, housed nearly 2,000 apartments and approximately 4,800 residents, a important portion of whom were elderly.The fire initially broke out on Wednesday, quickly escalating and generating large plumes of smoke and flames visible across the region. The death toll had previously been reported as 36 earlier Wednesday.
