HK Fire Accident – Death Toll Rises to 44, Many Still Missing

In what is described as the most deadly blaze in the history of Hong Kong after World War II, the fire accident at a high-rise apartment in Tai Pao district, which is home to thousands of residents, has killed 44 people so far with hundreds still missing as rescue operations continue at full flow. The death toll is expected to rise further. 

As per local media reports, the fire began on Wednesday afternoon in an eight-building complex that has around 2,000 apartments. These blames first took hold of bamboo scaffolding on several apartment blocks of Wang Fuk Court Hong Kong’s northern district of Tai Po. Very soon, the inferno spread to the entire complex, leaving hundreds stranded with no room for escape.

As soon as the news about the mishap came out at around 3 PM on Wednesday, Fire Services department and Police personnel swung into action. Dozens of engines, ambulances and rescue teams were deployed as smoke emanated from the towers, which house around 2,000 apartments and were undergoing renovation work. 

Though the exact cause of the blaze is not yet known, the authorities have found that it sparked on one of the bamboo scaffoldings. Flames then engulfed the scaffolding and construction netting surrounding several apartment blocks in Wang Fuk Court.

Hundreds of firefighters, police officers, and paramedics were pressed into service within minutes of the tragedy. 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances were at the scene carrying out rescue operations. Evacuation efforts were extensive, with about 700 people taken to temporary shelters. Authorities established a casualty hotline and opened two temporary shelters in nearby community centers.

Sources say that police authorities have arrested three construction company executives on suspicion of manslaughter connected to flammable materials including bamboo and polystyrene foam that may have allowed the fire to spread quickly.