Here’s a summary of the key facts from the provided text about the Hong Kong fire:
* Location: Tai Po district, New Territories, Hong Kong – a suburban area near the border with Shenzhen, China.
* Event: A large fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at a housing complex undergoing renovation. It spread rapidly, affecting seven of the eight buildings.
* Casualties: As of Thursday morning, the death toll has reached 44, including one firefighter. At least 29 people are hospitalized. Hundreds are evacuated (around 900 to temporary shelters).
* Cause: The fire started on external scaffolding of a 32-story tower and spread to the building’s interior and nearby structures, likely aided by windy conditions.Investigators are looking into fire resistance standards of exterior materials.
* Response: Over 60 ambulances and 140 fire trucks were deployed. Firefighters faced challenges due to high temperatures and falling debris. The fire was upgraded to a level five alarm (highest severity).
* Complex Details: The complex was built in the 1980s, houses approximately 4,800 residents in 2,000 apartments, and many residents are elderly. Bamboo scaffolding, a common sight in hong Kong construction, played a role in the fire’s spread.
* Political Response: Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed condolences and urged efforts to minimize casualties.
* Meaning: This is the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in years, comparable to a 1996 fire that killed 41 people.
* Arrests: Three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire.