A large fire at an apartment complex in Hong Kong has tragically resulted in at least 55 fatalities and left 72 others injured, with many residents still trapped inside as of Thursday morning. Authorities have arrested three individuals linked to the incident.
The blaze reportedly ignited around 2:52 PM local time on Wednesday at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po.
While the specific cause of the fire remains unclear, preliminary police findings suggest that it spread rapidly due to highly flammable polystyrene foam and bamboo scaffolding associated with renovation work. This caused the flames to engulf seven out of eight of the densely packed buildings, which house around 2,000 residents.
It’s estimated that about 4,800 individuals, including a significant number of elderly residents, reside in this complex. As of the latest updates, firefighters have managed to extinguish the fires in four of the affected buildings.
One survivor, a 51-year-old man named Wang, expressed his despair, stating, “We bought this building over 20 years ago. All our belongings were in this building, but now that everything has burned down like this, what is left? There’s nothing left. What should I do?”
According to reports, one of the deceased is a firefighter, 37-year-old Ho Wai Ho. At this time, it’s reported that 62 individuals are still missing inside the complex.
John Lee, the chief executive of Hong Kong, informed the media early Thursday that 279 residents were unaccounted for, but confirmed that firefighters had made contact with some of those missing. Over 900 residents have been relocated to temporary shelters.
In the aftermath, police have arrested three construction company executives involved in the renovation work, charging them with manslaughter. Authorities indicated that “gross negligence” on the part of the company contributed to the fire’s escalation.
Investigators found that flammable Styrofoam covered the elevator windows on each floor, and the materials used in the building’s exterior failed to meet fire safety standards.
Police Superintendent Eileen Chan remarked, “We have reason to believe that gross negligence on the part of our personnel led to this accident, causing the fire to spread out of control and resulting in significant casualties.”
According to the Associated Press, firefighting operations may continue into the evening.
