A significant fire broke out in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals, including a firefighter. The government and emergency services have confirmed that at least three others sustained injuries, with reports indicating that two of these individuals are in critical condition. Additionally, there are concerns that some residents may be trapped within the affected buildings.
The blaze erupted at 14:51 local time (06:50 GMT) and rapidly escalated, leading to a level four alarm being declared within 40 minutes, which was subsequently upgraded to the highest level five by 18:22. Footage from the scene displays flames and thick clouds of smoke emanating from the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, which comprises multiple high-rise buildings. As night fell, the fire remained active, engulfing at least three tower blocks.
Initial investigations suggest that the fire may have spread quickly due to bamboo scaffolding that was being used for ongoing renovations at the housing complex, which contains 1,984 apartments and serves around 4,000 residents. Bamboo scaffolding is commonly employed in construction in Hong Kong for its lightweight and durable properties. However, there have been past discussions regarding the safety of this material; in March, local media reported that the Hong Kong government’s development bureau aimed to phase out its use due to safety concerns.
The local government has reported that nine individuals were transported to hospitals for medical treatment. Among those, four have been confirmed dead, three are in critical condition, one is in serious condition, and another is stable. The situation continues to evolve as authorities assess the full impact of the fire.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg165d7ppvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss