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44 people died and 279 are missing after a fire broke out in several towers of Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po area. The fire spread rapidly due to the falling of the burning scaffolding of the 32-storey building. More than 800 rescue workers…read more
Fire in Hong Kong.
The massive fire that broke out in Hong Kong’s Tai Po area on Wednesday shook the entire city. In the big housing complex named Wang Fuk Court, where this accident took place, more than 4 thousand people live there, of which a large number are elderly people above 65 years of age. The fire spread so fast that many towers were engulfed in smoke and flames within a moment. So far, 44 people have been confirmed dead in the accident while 279 people are still missing.
The fire department received the first call at around 3 pm. The fire started in a 32-storey building named Wang Cheong House, which was undergoing renovation work these days. The entire tower was covered with high bamboo scaffolding and the fire first engulfed this structure. Within minutes the burning bamboo structure started collapsing and the fire spread to other towers. Seven out of total eight tower blocks came under the fire.
Firefighters were trying to control the fire for several hours. 128 fire trucks, 57 ambulances and about 888 rescue team members were deployed at the spot. The conditions were so serious that it was not possible for many teams to reach the upper floors of the tower. The temperature inside was so high that the firefighters had to constantly retreat. Many people remained trapped in their homes, who were instructed to close doors and windows and seal them with wet clothes and tape.
