In a devastating incident, Hong Kong police have arrested three men linked to a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter following a catastrophic blaze that has resulted in the deaths of at least 44 individuals, with an additional 279 reported missing. This fire, deemed the deadliest in the city in years, has also left at least 62 others injured, many suffering from severe burn and inhalation injuries, according to officials.
The fire erupted on Wednesday afternoon and quickly engulfed seven out of the eight buildings in a residential complex located in the Tai Po district. By morning, firefighters had managed to bring four of the towers under control. Fire Services Department Director Andy Yeung confirmed that among the deceased was a dedicated firefighter, aged 37, who had served the community for nine years. "All of our colleagues are deeply saddened by the loss of such a devoted comrade," Yeung stated in a press release.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, authorities reported that it began on the external scaffolding of a 32-story tower before rapidly spreading both inside the building and to adjacent structures. The inferno was exacerbated by windy conditions, which helped the flames traverse the bamboo scaffolding that surrounded the complex. Live footage from the scene depicted firefighters battling the intense flames from elevated ladder trucks, as thick smoke billowed from windows and embers rained down.
Fire chiefs noted that extremely high temperatures at the site hampered rescue efforts. Preliminary investigations suggested that some materials used on the exterior walls of the high-rise buildings may not have complied with fire resistance standards, raising concerns about the rapid spread of the fire. Police discovered highly flammable Styrofoam materials situated outside the windows near the elevator lobby of the only unaffected building, believed to have been improperly installed by the construction firm.
Authorities have indicated that there are grounds to suspect gross negligence on the part of the construction company's leadership. "We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent," stated Eileen Chung, a senior superintendent of police. The three arrested men, aged between 52 and 68, include the company's directors and an engineering consultant.
The fire was initially reported in the early afternoon and escalated to a level 5 alarm by nightfall, marking it as the highest severity level. The Fire Services Department deployed over 140 fire trucks and more than 60 ambulances to the scene. Meanwhile, police received multiple reports of residents trapped within the buildings, which comprised eight blocks and nearly 2,000 apartments housing approximately 4,800 people. Built in the 1980s, the complex had recently been undergoing significant renovations.
Approximately 900 individuals were evacuated to temporary shelters following the disaster. Lo Hiu-fung, a member of the Tai Po District Council, informed local media that most of the residents trapped were elderly. In a statement on Facebook, the Hong Kong Fire Services Department urged nearby residents to remain indoors, close doors and windows, and avoid areas affected by the fire.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed condolences for the fallen firefighter and extended sympathies to the families of the victims through state broadcaster CCTV. The Tai Po district is a suburban area situated in the northern part of Hong Kong, close to the border with Shenzhen, mainland China. This tragic incident marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in several years, recalling a similar disaster in November 1996 when 41 lives were lost in a commercial building fire in Kowloon that lasted approximately 20 hours.