Hong Kong Fire Update: The death toll from a massive fire at a multi-story housing complex in Hong Kong has risen to 94. Firefighters continued to struggle to control the blaze on Thursday. The eight- and 32-story complex was mainly comprised of elderly residents and families. The fire completely engulfed seven towers. By Thursday morning, the fire was 90 per cent contained, but the death toll continues to rise. According to Reuters, approximately 280 people were listed as missing as of Thursday morning. The fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong’s northern suburb of Tai Po.
However, many people are still trapped inside the buildings. A criminal investigation has been launched. Built in 1983, the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district consists of eight multi-story buildings, housing 1,984 flats. According to the 2021 census, approximately 4,600 people live in these buildings. The fire has destroyed seven buildings. Each of these buildings is 32 stories high.
According to reports, the fire initially broke out in bamboo scaffolding surrounding several blocks of the Wang Fuk Court Estate, where maintenance work was reportedly underway. The exact cause of the fire is not yet known.
Preliminary investigations suggest that workers smoking cigarettes on the bamboo scaffolding during renovation work may have been the primary cause. The flammable foam sealant, plastic netting, and bamboo structures used in the complex likely contributed to the fire’s catastrophic spread. Strong winds spread the fire from one tower to seven. The 330 million Hong Kong dollar renovation contract was awarded to Prestige Construction Company, which has a long history of safety violations.
Several people are also reported to be seriously injured. According to local media reports, three individuals responsible for the incident have been arrested. Chinese President Xi Jinping has also taken cognisance of the incident, ordered a more rapid rescue effort, and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families.