In the early hours of Thursday, Nov. 27, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee announced that firefighters have gradually brought the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po under control. From the outside, three of the eight residential buildings now show no visible flames, while the remaining four display only sporadic fire spots.
Li said the HKSAR government will mobilize all available resources to fully support rescue operations. Departments have been instructed to focus on extinguishing the fire, rescuing trapped residents, treating the injured, providing assistance and emotional support to families, and conducting a full investigation into the incident.
According to Hong Kong police, the death toll has risen to 44, including one firefighter, and 45 people remain in hospital in critical condition. Superintendent Eileen Chung reported that three men from the construction company responsible for renovation of the apartment blocks have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
The Fire Services Department was first notified of the blaze at around 2:51 p.m. on Wednesday. Due to the fierce intensity, the alert level was raised to a No. 5 alarm by 6:22 p.m. The fire ultimately spread to seven of the eight buildings, and rescue operations are ongoing.
The Hong Kong Hospital Authority has activated its Major Incident Control Center to coordinate medical response.
Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Sam Hou Fai expressed condolences to the families of the victims and underscored the fraternal ties between Macao and Hong Kong. He also offered the SAR government’s full support if needed.
As authorities continue rescue efforts and investigations, the focus remains on ensuring safety, supporting affected families and determining the fire’s cause.
Reference(s):
John Lee: Firefighters bringing HK residential area fire under control
cgtn.com
