HONG KONG (Monitoring Desk) – A devastating fire erupted at a high-rise residential tower in Hong Kong on Wednesday, claiming the lives of four people and trapping many others inside. Among the victims was a brave firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty while trying to control the inferno.
The blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a housing estate in the northern Tai Po district, which is undergoing renovations with bamboo scaffolding erected outside. The complex includes eight buildings and nearly 2,000 residential units, intensifying the scale of the emergency.
Firefighters and rescue teams rushed to the scene after police received multiple distress calls reporting the rapidly spreading fire. Thick smoke and towering flames were visible from several nearby buildings, creating a scene of chaos and urgency.
The Fire Services Department initially declared it a No. 1 alarm fire at 2:51 p.m., but within six hours, the situation escalated to a No. 5 alarm—the highest in Hong Kong—highlighting the ferocity of the blaze. Three people were injured, two critically, while authorities continue to work to evacuate residents safely.
Traffic in the area has been blocked to allow emergency crews unrestricted access, as the city watches anxiously while rescue operations continue.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, but the tragedy has already raised serious concerns about high-rise safety, especially during ongoing renovations.
