HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong firefighters are making a determined final effort to find any survivors following the city’s worst fire in memory, which broke out on Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district. As of now, at least 94 individuals have lost their lives in this catastrophic incident, with dozens more injured. Approximately 900 of the 4,800 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters due to the devastating impact of the fire.
The tragedy unfolded in a high-rise complex where seven out of eight 32-story towers were consumed by flames. Officials have indicated that the fire was exacerbated by construction materials and bamboo scaffolding that ignited, allowing the flames to spread rapidly. Rescue operations have faced significant challenges due to extreme heat conditions in the area.
This incident has been deemed more deadly than a previous fire in a commercial building in Kowloon in 1996 that claimed the lives of 41 people. Historical records indicate that a warehouse fire in 1948 resulted in 176 fatalities, underscoring the severity of this recent tragedy.
A key focus of the investigation is to determine why the construction materials, netting, and bamboo scaffolding being used for renovations caught fire. Authorities have already arrested three individuals, including the directors and an engineering consultant from a construction firm, on suspicion of manslaughter. While the name of the company has not been disclosed, an office of Prestige Construction & Engineering Co. has been searched. Initial findings suggest that certain materials, such as plastic foam panels used for window protection, may not have met fire resistance standards—a situation further complicated by high winds that facilitated the fire’s spread.
Wang Fuk Court is a privately owned yet subsidized housing development built in the 1980s, where about one-third of Hong Kong’s population resides in government Housing Authority dwellings. The apartments in this complex measure approximately 40-45 square meters (430-485 square feet) and, like many mass-market housing units in Hong Kong, typically lack smoke detectors or sprinkler systems. The complex itself was constructed before updates to Hong Kong’s fire codes mandated the installation of fire refuge floors.
The response from Hong Kong's authorities has included significant challenges as firefighters struggled to control the blaze. Their ladders and hoses could only reach slightly above halfway up the buildings—approximately 53 meters (174 feet) or about 20 stories. The extreme heat and high winds hindered the use of aerial firefighting equipment such as helicopters. According to Derek Armstrong Chan, a deputy director of Hong Kong’s Fire Services, such conditions also discouraged firefighters from attempting to enter the buildings to rescue potential survivors.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, announced plans to establish a task force to investigate the incident, with findings to be submitted to the Coroner’s Court for further inquiry into the causes and circumstances surrounding the casualties. Additionally, Lee stated the government would carry out inspections of all housing estates currently undergoing major renovations to assess scaffolding safety and the use of fire-compliant materials. He also pledged comprehensive support for those affected by the disaster.
In the aftermath, hundreds of those evacuated or who were outside when the fire started are currently residing in temporary shelters, including a nearby school. Relief workers are providing essential supplies like bottled water and food, supplemented by volunteer efforts distributing additional necessities. The city’s Fire Services Department has reported that over 70 individuals sustained injuries related to the fire.
