In a devastating incident unfolding in Hong Kong, university student Danny Vincent has described the scene as “it's a disaster.” As he witnessed emergency responders taking away a body, the gravity of the situation became painfully evident. Many onlookers have gathered, with another witness, Tomas Liu, sharing, “When you get closer, the heat rises and you can feel it; the smoke is really heavy.” The situation has escalated, with the fire having burned for hours since it began on Wednesday afternoon.
The blaze is currently raging through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, located in the northern Tai Po district of Hong Kong. The building, which houses approximately 4,600 residents across nearly 2,000 flats, was undergoing renovations at the time of the accident. As firefighters continue their efforts to control the flames, authorities have classified the fire as a level 5, marking it as the most serious category of fire.
According to the latest reports from the Hong Kong government, at least four individuals have lost their lives due to the blaze, including a firefighter who bravely battled the flames. Three others are reported to be in critical condition, while one person is in serious condition and another remains stable. Additionally, former district councillor Herman Yiu Kwan-ho revealed that at least 13 people are still trapped within the burning structure.
In response to the situation, police have evacuated nearby buildings and established a casualty hotline. The Hong Kong government has also opened temporary shelters for those displaced by the fire.
As the situation develops, there remains a multitude of unanswered questions. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and the potential for additional injuries or fatalities. It is unclear exactly how many more residents may be trapped within the buildings, and the timeline for extinguishing the flames remains uncertain.
The Hong Kong government officially escalated the fire's classification to level 5 at 18:22 local time, having previously raised it to level 4 just hours earlier. In a written update, officials confirmed that by 6 PM local time, a total of nine individuals had been transported to two hospitals, with the casualties and conditions of the victims outlined.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic fire, the focus remains on understanding the events that led to this disaster while ensuring the safety and well-being of all affected individuals.