By: The Trek News Desk
A massive fire swept through multiple residential towers in the Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, leaving at least four people dead and several others feared trapped inside.
Dramatic visuals circulating online show thick black smoke and intense flames rising from the high-rise blocks as firefighters battle the blaze.
Officials say the fire spread rapidly after igniting bamboo scaffolding that was installed along the exterior walls of the buildings, an arrangement commonly used for repair and maintenance work across Hong Kong.
Where Did the Incident Occur?
The fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a large housing estate in northern Tai Po consisting of eight residential blocks and roughly 2,000 units. Emergency crews rushed to the scene shortly after the first alarm was raised on Wednesday afternoon.
Casualties and Injuries
According to the Hong Kong government, seven people have been taken to nearby hospitals. The confirmed status is as follows:
- Four people have died,
- Two remain in critical condition,
- One person is stable.
Some firefighters were also injured while attempting to contain the flames, local reports say.
Firefighting Operations Escalated
The Fire Services Department received the first emergency call at 14:51 local time. As the situation worsened, officials upgraded the incident to a Level-4 alarm at 15:34, one of the highest classifications for major fire emergencies in the city.
A portion of the Tai Po Highway has been shut down, and several bus routes have been diverted as a precaution.
What Remains Unclear
Authorities say several key details are still unknown:
- The cause of the fire
- The exact number of people still trapped inside
- Whether the death toll or injury count will rise
- How long will it take to bring the fire fully under control
Source: News Agencies
