HONG KONG (AP) — Firefighters in Hong Kong continue to battle a devastating blaze that has claimed the lives of at least 83 people, marking it as one of the deadliest fires in the city's modern history. The inferno erupted at the Wang Fuk Court complex, a high-rise apartment complex situated in the Tai Po district, a northern suburb close to the mainland border. As the situation unfolds, rescuers are tirelessly searching through the charred remains of the towers, illuminating their path with flashlights as thick smoke billows from various windows.
On Thursday, officials confirmed that firefighters were still actively working on several apartments, attempting to ensure that no further casualties were trapped inside the seven towers of the complex. Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of Fire Services Operations, stated, “Our firefighting operation is almost complete,” and emphasized the importance of preventing any flare-ups from debris and embers. The pressing task ahead is the comprehensive search and rescue operation, though uncertainty remains regarding the number of individuals who may still be missing.
On Thursday morning, Hong Kong leader John Lee reported that contact had been lost with 279 individuals. However, during a press conference, authorities provided no updates on the status of the missing or those still stranded within the devastated buildings. Video footage captured rescuers navigating through dark apartments as orange flames flickered ominously from the wreckage.
The catastrophic fire is believed to have ignited around midafternoon on Wednesday, initially starting in bamboo scaffolding and construction netting. It spread rapidly across seven of the complex’s eight buildings. Chan noted that the blaze expanded “exceptionally fast,” complicating access for emergency workers who faced falling debris and blocked paths due to the chaotic scene. More than 70 individuals were reported injured, including 11 firefighters, according to the Fire Services Department.
As a precaution, approximately 900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters overnight. The local community is deeply affected, with residents like Lawrence Lee anxiously awaiting news about loved ones. Lee recounted how he urged his wife to escape, only for her to be forced back into their apartment due to smoke-filled corridors. Another resident, Winter Chung, shared her distress, noting that she could not sleep all night, worried about the fate of her home.
In the aftermath of the fire, three individuals — the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company — were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Police suspect that the construction company may have exhibited gross negligence. They have not publicly identified the company but confirmed that they searched the offices of Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, believed to be responsible for renovations in the affected towers. Authorities seized numerous documents as part of their investigation.
Concerns have emerged regarding the materials used in the construction of the high-rise buildings, with police revealing that some external materials may not have met fire resistance standards. Flammable plastic foam panels were discovered attached to the windows near the elevator lobby of the unaffected tower, raising questions about their installation and purpose. Chris Tang, the Secretary for Security, stated that further investigations into these materials would be conducted.
The Wang Fuk Court complex comprises eight buildings with nearly 2,000 apartments, housing around 4,800 residents, many of whom are elderly. Constructed in the 1980s, the complex was undergoing significant renovations at the time of the fire. In response to the tragedy, Hong Kong's anti-corruption agency has initiated an investigation into potential corruption linked to the renovation project. The fire's rapid spread is believed to have been exacerbated by windy conditions, igniting the bamboo scaffolding used in construction.
In light of the tragedy, officials are considering a shift from bamboo to metal scaffolding, as the latter offers superior flame retardancy. Eric Chan, the Chief Secretary for Administration, acknowledged the historical use of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong but emphasized the necessity for safety improvements. Immediate inspections of all housing estates undergoing renovation work will also be conducted to ensure compliance with safety standards.
This fire marks one of the most tragic incidents in Hong Kong's recent history, surpassing the previous deadliest fire in November 1996, which resulted in 41 fatalities in a commercial building in Kowloon. As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of life and grapples with the implications of this disaster.