Firefighters in Hong Kong have been engaged for a second consecutive day in efforts to extinguish a catastrophic fire that ravaged the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex, with the death toll now reaching 94, marking it as one of the most severe disasters the city has faced in decades. Numerous individuals remain unaccounted for as rescuers persist in searching through the charred apartments in the Tai Po district. On Thursday, thick smoke continued to emanate from the upper floors while rescuers moved from one unit to another with flashlights, carefully navigating through the blackened hallways and unstable debris. The fire, which rapidly spread across seven of the estate’s eight towers, consumed sections of the 32-storey buildings for over 24 hours after it first ignited on Wednesday afternoon. Derek Armstrong Chan, the Deputy Director of Fire Services Operations, stated: “Our firefighting operation is nearing completion.” He further mentioned that teams were diligently working “to prevent the debris and embers from reigniting. The next phase will be the search and rescue operation.
Firefighters outline significant challenges
Chan stated that the crews “encountered numerous challenges,” mentioning the rapid spread of the fire, the necessity to redirect personnel to manage ongoing requests for assistance, and the perilous conditions within the towers. “Debris and scaffolding were tumbling from the upper levels,” he remarked. Emergency response vehicles were unable to access certain areas of the site, obstructed by fallen bamboo scaffolding and construction debris. The extreme heat and lack of light hindered their efforts, compelling rescuers to combat the flames and aid trapped residents under conditions of limited visibility. Footage from the scene depicted firefighters operating in heavily smoke-laden rooms as sparks continued to burst from multiple windows. Officials confirmed that at least 76 individuals sustained injuries, including 11 firefighters. Twelve survivors are reported to be in critical condition, while 28 others are in serious condition.
The cause is currently under investigation as frustration intensifies
Officials indicated that the fire was thought to have originated from bamboo scaffolding and plastic netting that were wrapped around the buildings undergoing significant renovation. Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has initiated an investigation into the construction project, while police have detained three individuals on suspicion of carelessly leaving foam packaging at the site. Residents informed AFP that they did not hear any fire alarms and had to rely on knocking on doors to alert their neighbours. “The fire spread so rapidly,” remarked a resident identified as Suen. “Ringing doorbells, knocking on doors, warning the neighbours, urging them to evacuate — that was the nature of the situation.” City leader John Lee stated that contact had been lost early Thursday with 279 individuals, although firefighters later confirmed that they had managed to reach some of them. The government intends to conduct a comprehensive investigation and safety assessment of all estates that are currently undergoing repair work. As dawn arrived on Friday, firefighters reported that the fire could be completely extinguished overnight, enabling a thorough count of those still unaccounted for once every apartment has been opened and searched.
