A huge fire that ripped through a Hong Kong housing estate has killed at least 36 people, city leader John Lee said on Thursday, adding that 279 people were unaccounted for.
“As of now, this fire has caused the deaths of 36 people and left 279 people unaccounted for. There are 29 people still hospitalised, with seven of them in critical condition,” Lee said at a press briefing in the early hours of Thursday.
Massive flames first took hold on bamboo scaffolding on several apartment blocks of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po, a district in the northern part of the Chinese financial hub, before engulfing other parts of the buildings.
An AFP reporter heard loud cracking sounds, possibly from the burning bamboo, and saw thick plumes of smoke billowing from at least five out of the estate’s eight buildings as flames and ash reached high into the sky.
“There’s nothing that can be done about the property. We can only hope that everyone, no matter old or young, can return safely,” a Tai Po resident surnamed So, 57, said near the scene of the fire.
“It’s heartbreaking. We’re worried there are people trapped inside.”
The blaze showed no signs of slowing after dark, with flames inside the tower blocks casting an eerie orange glow on the surrounding buildings.
Police said earlier they had received reports of residents trapped in buildings, according to Hong Kong media reports.
Officers at the scene said on the condition of anonymity that they were unable to confirm whether there were still residents stuck in the buildings by nightfall, adding that “firefighters aren’t able to go in”.
A 37-year-old firefighter lost contact for around half an hour and was found with burns on his face, and was certified dead after being rushed to hospital, according to Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung.
Authorities declared a five-alarm fire – the highest level – as night fell.
‘Dare not leave’
A residential unit owner in his 40s said that the government needed to help those made homeless by the blaze.
“The fire is not yet under control and I dare not leave, and I don’t know what I can do,” he said.
The South China Morning Post newspaper said police had begun evacuating two buildings in another residential estate nearby.
Authorities set up a casualty hotline and opened two temporary shelters in nearby community centres for evacuated residents.
Sections of a nearby highway were also closed by the firefighting operation.
“Residents nearby are advised to stay indoors, close their doors and windows, and stay calm,” the Fire Services Department said.
“Members of the public are also advised to avoid going to the area affected by the fire.”
Four people were hospitalised after a separate fire on the scaffolding of a building in Hong Kong’s central business district last month.
Hong Kong has some of the world’s most densely populated – and tallest – apartment blocks.
Watch moreIn Hong Kong, ‘cage housing’ and rising living costs fuel tensions
Deadly fires were once a regular scourge in densely populated Hong Kong, especially in poorer neighbourhoods.
However, safety measures have been ramped up in recent decades and such fires have become much less commonplace.
The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims expressed “deep concern” over scaffolding-related fires, noting similar incidents in April, May and October.
Authorities have not yet spoken about the possible causes of the blaze.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
