Alarm Level Raised To 4: Scaffolding On Neighboring Towers Also Caught Fire; Hong Kong Wang Fuk Fire Trapped Numerous Residents
HONG KONG, China – A massive fire that erupted on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court, a huge residential complex located in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, turned the area into a scene of chaos. With multiple high-rise towers engulfed in flames simultaneously, dense gray smoke blanketed the sky. The Hong Kong Wang Fuk Fire proved to be one of the most challenging incidents for the city’s fire crews.
📝 The Onset And Escalation Of The Disaster
The initial fire alarm was received at 2:51 PM local time. Due to the speed and intensity of the blaze, authorities quickly escalated the emergency alarm level.
- Alarm Status: Firefighters raised the alarm to Level 4—the second-highest emergency level, which requires large-scale and hazardous intervention—at 3:34 PM due to the rapid spread of the flames.
- Complex Size: Wang Fuk Court is a massive residential complex consisting of eight blocks and approximately 2,000 apartments.
- Complicating Factor: Furthermore, bamboo scaffolding on the exterior of neighboring towers also caught fire, making containment extremely difficult. Therefore, fire crews had to battle the blaze not only on the burning structure but also on the adjacent scaffolding.
🩸 Tragic Toll And Emergency Response
The public broadcaster RTHK, citing police sources, confirmed that casualties and injuries had occurred.
- Fatalities: Four people tragically died due to severe burns in the fire. In addition, multiple firefighters sustained injuries while battling the blaze.
- Trapped Residents: Authorities reported that several residents were trapped inside the complex due to the flames and thick smoke. Rescue operations became the immediate priority for evacuation and recovery teams.
🏙️ Impact On The City
The magnitude of the fire paralyzed daily life in the Tai Po region.
- Traffic Restrictions: Following the blaze, a section of the Tai Po highway was entirely closed to traffic. Bus routes were also diverted for security reasons.
- Investigation: Authorities immediately launched a large-scale investigation to determine the cause of the fire and review the fire safety protocols within the building.
The Hong Kong Wang Fuk Fire serves as a stark and painful reminder of the critical importance of fire safety and building security in the city’s dense vertical structures.
