Last Wednesday afternoon, a devastating fire tore through Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex under renovation in the Tai Po district of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Firefighters battled towering flames across all eight scaffold-wrapped buildings as smoke billowed over the neighborhood.
At a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee confirmed that all seven affected structures have been brought under control. Fire Services Department (FSD) teams rescued 55 people from the inferno and deployed 304 engines and rescue vehicles to the scene. Drones monitored heat levels to prevent flare-ups overnight.
Tragically, the death toll has climbed to 65, and more than 200 residents remain unaccounted for. Seventy-two people, including eight firefighters, were treated for injuries at local hospitals. Community shelters have been set up nearby, offering food, medical aid and counseling to displaced residents.
Police have arrested three men connected to the ongoing renovation project on suspicion of manslaughter, after investigators pointed to flammable netting and scaffolding materials as possible factors in the blaze’s rapid spread. Authorities say a full probe is underway to determine the fire’s origin and to tighten safety standards on building renovations.
Local tech teams and volunteer groups also mobilized, using drone footage and mapping apps to coordinate search zones and track missing residents. “This is a moment when technology and community spirit came together under extreme pressure,” said one volunteer coordinator.
As the HKSAR government and rescue teams continue their efforts, residents across the region are calling for stronger enforcement of building codes and greater oversight on renovation sites. For many, the most urgent task is rebuilding trust and ensuring that an incident like this can never happen again.
Reference(s):
Concerted efforts underway as Hong Kong races to minimize fire losses
cgtn.com
