A devastating fire has ripped through a residential high-rise in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, resulting in a confirmed death toll of 36, including a firefighter, and leaving 79 individuals missing. Many residents were trapped as the blaze spread with terrifying speed through the densely packed buildings.
The inferno reportedly began around 2:50 PM local time. The fire’s rapid ascent was attributed to the presence of bamboo scaffolding and green netting, which surrounded the buildings for ongoing renovation work, providing ample fuel for the flames. The situation rapidly deteriorated, prompting authorities to issue a rare No. 4 alarm, signaling a critical emergency.
Eyewitness accounts and video evidence showed extensive flames engulfing multiple structures, with smoke billowing out from numerous floors. Firefighters faced perilous conditions, battling the intense heat and falling debris from the burning scaffolding.
The affected housing estate is a significant residential complex in the New Territories, housing over 4,800 people in roughly 2,000 apartments across eight towers. The concentration of tall buildings in the Tai Po area raised fears of a larger catastrophe.
Ongoing rescue efforts are a top priority, with teams working diligently to locate survivors and extinguish remaining fires. Hotspots on the external scaffolding are proving particularly challenging. The government has established temporary shelters for those displaced by the incident.
An official investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the blaze, with preliminary reports focusing on the circumstances surrounding the renovation work.