A significant fire ravaged several high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 individuals, with reports of others remaining trapped inside.
Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department confirmed that the blaze ignited at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, a district situated in the northern New Territories, around 2:50 p.m.
By 6:22 p.m., the fire’s severity had been elevated to a No. 5 alarm, which is Hong Kong’s most critical rating.
A government statement indicated that nine people were transported to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital.
Of these, four individuals were declared deceased, three were in critical condition, one was listed as serious, and another was stable.
Tang Ping-keung, who serves as Hong Kong’s secretary for security, reportedly died after sustaining injuries while combating the fire.
“I am profoundly grieved at the passing of Mr Ho, who lost his life in the course of an operation. I offer my deepest condolences to his family members,” Tang stated.
Photographs from the scene depicted sections of the towers engulfed in flames and thick, dark smoke billowing from numerous floors.
Emergency crews were actively engaged in extinguishing the inferno, while one man was captured on camera exhibiting profound distress, stating his wife was trapped within.
Chan Kwong-tak, an 83-year-old retiree residing in the community, stated that despite the buildings being fitted with fire alarms, they failed to activate when the fire erupted.
He commented, “If someone was sleeping then, they were done.”
Herman Yiu Kwan-ho, Tai Po’s former district councillor, similarly informed the media outlet that inhabitants reported no audible fire alarms even after discovering the fire. He added that warnings only came via a security guard knocking on doors, affording them minimal evacuation time.
The Tai Po District Office established temporary shelters for affected individuals at Kwong Fuk Community Hall and Tung Cheong Street Community Hall.