A devastating fire tore through a high-rise residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, claiming at least 44 lives and leaving hundreds of residents missing in one of the territory's deadliest building fires in recent years.
The Chain of Events
The tragedy began unfolding around 2:50 pm on Wednesday when flames first erupted at the eight-building Wang Fuk Court estate. The complex, home to approximately 2,000 units across 32-storey towers, quickly became engulfed in what would become a massive inferno.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as thick smoke and fiery debris billowed from the densely packed towers. The scale of the disaster became apparent within hours as firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading flames.
Rapid Spread Through Flammable Scaffolding
The buildings were wrapped in highly flammable bamboo scaffolding during ongoing repair work, which served as fuel for the fire to jump quickly across the estate. This dangerous combination allowed the flames to destroy apartments across seven of the eight towers in the complex.
Firefighters battled the blaze through the night, facing additional challenges from strong winds and collapsing bamboo structures. The dangerous conditions made it extremely difficult for rescue teams to reach upper floors where many residents remained trapped.
Heroic Efforts and Tragic Losses
Amid the chaos and destruction, stories of heroism emerged. A 37-year-old firefighter lost his life while attempting to reach trapped residents. The brave first responder died after losing contact with his colleagues during the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, over 900 residents sought refuge in temporary shelters established by authorities. Rescue teams continued their operations into Thursday as officials struggled to account for hundreds of missing people.
Many elderly residents were particularly vulnerable during the emergency. Maintenance work had kept windows closed, leaving some unaware of the spreading fire. Alert neighbors used phone calls to warn them while rescuers guided evacuations through the smoke-filled corridors.
The search and rescue operation continues as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the fire and account for all missing residents in this devastating tragedy that has shaken Hong Kong.
