Hong Kong authorities are grappling with a devastating tragedy after a massive fire tore through a residential high-rise in Tai Po on Wednesday, leaving no fewer than 36 people dead and nearly 300 unaccounted for. The incident marks one of the most catastrophic fires the city has witnessed in decades.
Officials reported that the fire started at 2:51 p.m. local time in Wang Fuk Court, a sprawling residential complex consisting of eight towers constructed in the 1980s. The estate houses roughly 4,800 residents, many of whom are elderly, according to Sky News.
The flames spread rapidly, intensified by bamboo scaffolding and construction netting installed for renovation works across the buildings. Within minutes, the blaze had engulfed several floors, producing thick clouds of smoke that blanketed the skyline.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, confirmed the mounting casualties on Wednesday night and said an extensive emergency response had been activated.
“We are sparing no effort in tracking down the missing and providing necessary assistance to the affected families during this incredibly painful moment,” Lee said.
Authorities disclosed that 29 victims are still being treated in hospitals, with some listed in critical condition.
The Fire Services Department escalated the incident to a level 5 alarm, the highest in the city’s emergency classification, as firefighters struggled against intense heat and powerful winds. Flames erupted through windows while dense grey smoke filled the air.
A senior fire officer explained the challenges teams encountered on the ground:
“Temperatures were extremely high, and the winds made close firefighting nearly impossible. Crews also had to navigate falling scaffolding and unpredictable smoke movement.”
One firefighter succumbed to injuries sustained during the rescue mission, and several others were hurt.
Around 900 residents were forced to evacuate as emergency workers continued sweeping through charred apartments late into the night.
Survivors described harrowing scenes.
Ms. Lau, who managed to escape from the 22nd floor, said:
“The smoke was so overwhelming that you couldn’t even see your fingers. People were screaming from their windows. We honestly didn’t know if we would survive.”
Another resident, Mr. Chan, recalled how the fire climbed up the bamboo frames rapidly.
“It was like watching a massive torch burn upward,” he said. “I grabbed my mother and rushed out. The stairwell was full of smoke, but staying inside felt like certain death.”
Wednesday’s blaze is the deadliest in Hong Kong since the 1996 inferno in Kowloon that claimed 41 lives. That earlier tragedy prompted sweeping reforms to fire safety regulations—rules that observers say may now face renewed examination after this latest disaster.
Bamboo scaffolding, though traditional and cost-effective, has been a subject of long-standing debate in Hong Kong due to safety concerns. The government had previously indicated an intention to reduce its use, at least for public projects.
Emergency teams are still working to cool hotspots within the buildings, and officials warn that the casualty numbers may rise as more areas become accessible. The exact cause of the fire has yet to be established.
