Dozens dead, hundreds missing as Hong Kong’s deadliest fire rips through tower blocks
Police have made three arrests over a Hong Kong residential estate inferno as the death toll climbed to 55, including a firefighter, and nearly 300 people remain missing.
At least 55 people are dead, 45 are in serious condition, and 279 are missing after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in three decades ripped through residential towers covered in flammable bamboo scaffolding, authorities said.
The apocalyptic blaze engulfed a Hong Kong residential estate with firefighters saying they were blocked from reaching some of the people seeking help.
The fire started at around 2.50pm Wednesday and has been burning for more than 16 hours.
Emergency services have brought the blaze “under control” but seven of the eight buildings are still alight, with the area containing some of the world’s most densely populated and tallest apartment blocks.
Massive flames first took hold on bamboo scaffolding on the apartment blocks of Wang Fuk Court, which contains nearly 2000 flats in eight towers and was reportedly undergoing estate-wide maintenance.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee described the fire as a “massive catastrophe”.
THREE MEN ARRESTED
Police have arrested three men, two directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company aged between 52 and 68, who have since been accused of “gross negligence.”
“We have reason to believe that those in charge at the company were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties,” a police spokesperson said.
Various construction material with the company name failed to meet safety regulation – including plastic covers, protective nets and canvas.
Inflammable polystyrene boards were also obstructing windows.
It’s still unclear what caused the tragic blaze.
NO AUSTRALIANS IMPACTED
It does not appear any Australian ex-pats have been impacted by the blaze.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressed their condolences over the tragedy.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the horrific fire in Hong Kong, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their loved ones,” the spokesman said.
A residential unit owner in his 40s told AFP that the government needed to help those made homeless by the blaze.
“The fire is not yet under control and I dare not leave, and I don’t know what I can do,” he said.
TRAPPED RESIDENTS SENT SOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
More than 800 firefighters deployed to tackle the fire, according to the Hong Kong Free Press and officials said that 40 residents died at the scene and four died at hospital.
The Sun reported around 70 residents trapped inside the blazing apartment blocks posted pleas for help to social media.
According to government weather service the Hong Kong Observatory, the fire danger for the region has been at the “extreme” level for the past week.
Bystanders heard loud cracking sounds, possibly from the burning bamboo, and saw thick plumes of smoke billowing from at least five of the estate’s eight buildings as flames and ash reached high into the sky.
“There’s nothing that can be done about the property. We can only hope that everyone, no matter old or young, can return safely,” a Tai Po resident surnamed So, 57, told reporters near the scene of the fire.
“It’s heartbreaking. We’re worried there are people trapped inside.”
FIREFIGHTER DEAD; RESCUERS BLOCKED FROM HELPING
The blaze showed no signs of slowing after dark, with flames inside the tower blocks casting an eerie orange glow on the surrounding buildings.
Police earlier said they had received reports of residents trapped in buildings, according to Hong Kong media reports.
Officers at the scene told media on the condition of anonymity that they were unable to confirm whether there were still residents stuck in the buildings by nightfall, adding that “firefighters aren’t able to go in”.
A 37-year-old firefighter lost contact for around half an hour and was found with burns on his face, and was certified dead after being rushed to hospital, according to Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung.
Authorities declared a five-alarm fire — the highest level — as night fell.
ANXIOUS WAIT AT SHELTERS
Residents anxiously awaited news of their loved ones Thursday at a temporary shelter.
“I truly think it’s very scary. I am watching it spread from just one building to three, then four,” Veezy Chan, 25, a resident of the area, said. “It’s really terrifying.”
Since the shelter opened on Wednesday evening, residents kept arriving to report family members they had lost contact with.
Some sat dazed, looking with reddened eyes at cell phone screens as they hoped for news of missing loved ones.
Social workers distributed blankets and pillows to the elderly to help them endure the night-time chill.
Shirley Chan, a local resident, called the tragedy terribly sad.
“Imagine a home – gone, burnt. Anyone would be heartbroken. I can relate to that; it’s truly heartbreaking. A home, gone in flames,” Chan said. “I can’t even put it into words.”
A 65-year-old surnamed Yuen said his neighbourhood is home to many elderly residents who use wheelchairs and walkers, and the fire left him and his wife homeless.
He said that since the apartment complex was undergoing maintenance, many residents kept their windows shut – so they did not hear the fire alarm.
“There is loss of property and loss of life, and even a firefighter has died,” Yuen said.
Some citizens have spontaneously donated supplies and delivered them to shelters set up after the fire.
The South China Morning Post newspaper said police had begun evacuating two buildings in another residential estate nearby.
Four people were hospitalised after a separate fire on the scaffolding of a building in Hong Kong’s central business district last month.
HISTORY OF HK APARTMENT FIRES
Hong Kong has some of the world’s most densely populated — and tallest — apartment blocks.
Deadly fires were once a regular scourge in densely populated Hong Kong, especially in poorer neighbourhoods.
However, safety measures have been ramped up in recent decades and such fires have become much less commonplace.
The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims expressed “deep concern” over scaffolding-related fires, noting similar incidents in April, May and October.
Authorities have not yet spoken about the possible causes of the blaze.
– with AFP
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Originally published as Dozens dead, hundreds missing as Hong Kong’s deadliest fire rips through tower blocks
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