A devastating blaze tore through a residential high-rise complex in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong on Wednesday, leaving at least four people dead and several others trapped inside as smoke and flames engulfed multiple towers.
The fire erupted in the afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate — a multi-tower complex built around 2,000 housing units. Bamboo scaffolding surrounding several buildings is believed to have fuelled the rapid spread of the flames, sending thick smoke and embers into the air.
Emergency services responded quickly: firefighters used ladder-trucks to douse the blaze from above while residents attempted to escape from upper-floor windows and balconies. Nonetheless, thick smoke and structural hazards made evacuation difficult. Several people were reported seriously injured, some with severe burns.
Authorities say the fire was elevated to a “No. 4 alarm” — one of the highest alert levels — a short time after the first reports came in, underlining the severity of the conflagration.
As rescue operations continue, local officials have urged residents in nearby blocks to stay alert and avoid the affected area. The incident raises urgent questions about fire-safety in high-density housing estates — especially where combustible scaffolding or outdated safety measures are still in use.
References
- Four dead after fire engulfs residential high-rise buildings in Hong Kong — Reuters / AP reports Reuters+2CNA+2
- Massive blaze rips through high-rise estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po; several trapped — CBS News CBS News
- Fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po: residents trapped, severe burns reported — AP / The National / other media AP News+2The National+2
- Details of alarm escalation and casualty update from Hong Kong Fire Services Department official statement in
