Major Fire Rips Through Hong Kong Residential Complex, Leaving at Least Four Dead

HONG KONG – A devastating level-five fire tore through a densely populated residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, claiming at least four lives—including one firefighter—and injuring several others in a blaze that continued to rage for hours, sending plumes of thick, black smoke over the northern part of the city.

The fire broke out at the Wung Fuk Court public housing estate, a complex home to an estimated 4,600 residents across nearly 2,000 individual flats. The building was reportedly undergoing renovation work at the time the blaze ignited, though the exact cause remains under urgent investigation by authorities.

What We Know

The Incident & Response:

• The fire was first reported on Wednesday afternoon at the Wung Fuk Court complex in Tai Po.

• The Hong Kong Fire Services Department swiftly escalated the response, upgrading the blaze to a “Level 5” fire—the highest on the city’s scale, indicating the most serious category of emergency.

• Dozens of fire engines and ambulances were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters faced extreme challenges, with the fire spreading rapidly across the external scaffolding and netting erected for the ongoing renovations.

• At least 13 people are believed to still be trapped inside the burning building, according to former district councillor Herman Tiu Kwan-ho, who spoke to local media from the scene.

Casualties and Evacuation:

• Confirmed Fatalities: At least four people have died. In a tragic development, the Fire Services Department confirmed that one of the deceased was a firefighter who lost his life while battling the intense flames.

• Injured: The government reported at least five people hospitalized with injuries. Three are in critical condition, one is in serious condition, and another is stable. The number of injured is feared to rise as emergency operations continue.

• Evacuation and Support: Police have evacuated residents from nearby buildings as a precautionary measure. The government has activated a casualty hotline for concerned relatives and has opened temporary shelters in the community centre at On Fu Estate to accommodate those displaced by the fire.

The Human Impact and Ongoing Crisis

The scale of the emergency has sparked alarm across Hong Kong. Dramatic footage broadcast on local television shows flames and embers leaping from one floor to another, climbing the scaffolding that encased a significant portion of the high-rise tower. Residents could be seen waving for help from windows on upper floors, surrounded by smoke.

The death of the firefighter has cast a pall over the response efforts, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by first responders. The government is expected to hold a press conference later to provide further details on the casualties and the progress of the firefighting operation.

As night falls, the fire continues to burn, and many questions remain unanswered. The focus remains on rescuing those still trapped and extinguishing the blaze, while a community waits anxiously for news.

This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.

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