On Thursday, Hong Kong police took significant action by arresting the bosses of a construction company amid suspicions of manslaughter linked to the city's most devastating fire in nearly 80 years. This catastrophic event resulted in the tragic loss of at least 94 lives, with hundreds still reported missing. As of early Friday morning, firefighters had largely contained the blaze, which had been raging for over 24 hours, devastating the Wang Fuk Court housing complex located in the northern district of Tai Po.
The Wang Fuk Court housing estate, currently undergoing extensive renovations, was enveloped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh at the time of the incident. Most victims were discovered in two of the high-rise blocks within this eight-tower complex, as reported by Deputy Director of Fire Services, Derek Armstrong Chan. He confirmed that some residents were rescued alive from various buildings, but further details were not disclosed. The South China Morning Post reported that one survivor was located in a stairwell of one building, highlighting the harrowing conditions faced by trapped residents.
Rescue efforts were severely hampered by intense heat, thick smoke, and the risk of collapsing scaffolding and debris. Firefighters worked tirelessly to reach residents believed to be trapped on the upper floors. “We expect the fire to be fully put out tonight,” Chan stated, adding that they would continue to douse the area with water to reduce temperatures.
The emotional toll on survivors was evident, as seen in the case of a distraught woman searching for her daughter outside one of the eight shelters established for evacuees. The 52-year-old, identified only by her surname Ng, was visibly shaken as she clutched her daughter's graduation photograph. “They didn't have water to save our building,” she lamented, illustrating the despair felt by many affected families.
Authorities arrested two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction, the firm responsible for maintenance on the buildings. These individuals are suspected of manslaughter due to allegations of using unsafe materials during the renovation. Police Superintendent Eileen Chung stated, “We have reason to believe that the company's responsible parties were grossly negligent, leading to this accident and allowing the fire to spread uncontrollably.” Despite numerous attempts, Prestige Construction did not respond to requests for comment.
As the confirmed death toll rose to 83, making it Hong Kong's deadliest fire since 1948, the government announced the establishment of a HK$300 million ($39 million) fund to assist affected residents. Numerous companies, including major automakers like Xiaomi and Geely, alongside Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s charity foundation and Tencent, pledged donations to support the victims.
In the wake of the fire, many evacuees resorted to setting up makeshift beds in nearby malls, expressing concerns that official evacuation centers should prioritize those in greater need. Residents, ranging from elderly individuals to schoolchildren, huddled under duvets and in tents outside local establishments as volunteers distributed snacks and toiletries.
In light of the incident, police discovered foam material sealing windows in one unaffected building that had been part of the ongoing maintenance work. The city’s development bureau has indicated plans to gradually replace bamboo scaffolding with more secure metal alternatives as a crucial safety measure.
China’s President Xi Jinping has called for an all-out effort to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties. The leadership of both the Hong Kong government and the Chinese Communist Party responded swiftly to emphasize the importance of addressing this tragedy, perceived as a test of Beijing's influence over the semi-autonomous region. As Hong Kong grapples with chronic affordable housing shortages, this disaster has the potential to exacerbate public discontent towards authorities.
An online app has emerged, allowing individuals to report missing persons via a linked Google document that details residents from individual towers. This initiative includes descriptions such as “Mother-in-law in her 70s, missing” and has become a crucial tool for families searching for loved ones. Reports of the fire have drawn comparisons to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, which highlighted severe safety lapses in construction practices.
As the investigation continues, the community remains in mourning, hoping for the safe return of those still unaccounted for in this devastating incident.