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A significant fire erupted across multiple high-rise apartment buildings in a residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, resulting in at least 13 fatalities. Reports indicate that some residents remained trapped inside as flames rapidly spread. The fire initially ignited on bamboo scaffolding surrounding several units within the Wang Fuk Court estate, then quickly engulfed other parts of the structures.
Witnesses describe hearing loud cracking sounds—likely from the burning bamboo—as dense smoke pour from at least five of the estate’s eight buildings, with flames and ash soaring into the sky. Nearby residents expressed despair, with one person surnamed So, age 57, stating, “There’s nothing we can do about the property. We can only hope everyone, regardless of age, gets out safely.” The community remains concerned about those still inside, as the fire shows no signs of slowing down after nightfall, casting an ominous orange hue over the surrounding buildings.
Authorities reported that they had received multiple calls about residents trapped inside. Officials at the scene told AFP anonymously that they couldn’t confirm if anyone was still stuck inside by nightfall because firefighters hadn’t been able to enter the buildings. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department announced that 13 people had died—nine at the scene and four later pronounced dead after hospital transport—and that 15 others were injured, with two in critical condition. Firefighter Andy Yeung explained that a 37-year-old firefighter who had lost contact for about 30 minutes was found with facial burns and was declared dead after being hospitalized.
As the fire raged into the night, a five-alarm alert—the highest possible level—was issued. A resident in his 40s voiced the community’s need for government assistance, saying, “The fire isn’t under control yet, and I’m afraid to leave. I don’t know what I can do right now.” Nearby, police began evacuating two additional buildings in a separate local estate. Emergency services established a hotline for casualties and set up two temporary shelters in community centers for displaced residents. Road sections close to the fire were also shut down to facilitate firefighting efforts.
The Fire Services Department urged residents nearby to stay indoors, keep doors and windows shut, and remain calm, while advising the public to avoid the affected area. Earlier incidents involved a separate scaffolding fire in Hong Kong’s Central Business District, which resulted in four hospitalizations. Hong Kong’s densely populated urban landscape is famous for its high-rise living; however, such deadly fires, once common, have become less frequent due to stricter safety regulations over recent decades. Nonetheless, scaffolding-related fires remain a concern, with the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims pointing out similar incidents in recent months.
Authorities have yet to release an official explanation for the cause of the recent blaze.
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