Tragic Fire in Hong Kong Claims 55 Lives, Construction Firm Investigated

Hong Kong has plunged into sorrow as a devastating fire engulfed the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, resulting in at least 55 deaths and nearly 300 residents reported missing. The city, famous for its dense urban environment, last encountered such a catastrophe 77 years ago.

Firefighters battled the blaze for over 24 hours, struggling against dense smoke and extreme heat to reach those trapped on higher floors of the 32-storey towers. The buildings, heavily draped in green construction mesh and bamboo scaffolding, ignited quickly, complicating rescue operations.

This tragedy has left the city in shock. Displaced families gathered in shelters, fervently seeking updates on their loved ones. A poignant moment captured a woman clutching her daughter’s graduation picture, tears streaming down her face. “They are still inside,” she lamented, “We had no water to save our home.”

According to the government, over 4,600 individuals reside within the eight-block complex containing around 2,000 apartments, heightening fears that the death toll may rise further due to the dense population.

Chief Executive John Lee deemed this event a major emergency and announced a relief fund of HK$300 million for affected families. Amid growing public outrage, officials are also evaluating plans to replace the city's traditional bamboo scaffolding with safer alternatives.

An immediate investigation was launched to ascertain the cause of the rapid spread of the fire, centering on Prestige Construction and Engineering Company Limited, the firm overseeing renovation works in the complex. The police have raided the company's premises, seizing documents, employee details, and tech devices.

Police Superintendent Eileen Chung stated that investigators had “reason to believe” the company displayed gross negligence, citing unsafe materials and inadequate safety measures that may have made the buildings hazardous. Two company executives and an engineering consultant have been arrested on charges of manslaughter.

In the wake of the disaster, China’s President Xi Jinping has called for an “all-out effort” to limit further loss of life. More than 1,200 firefighters and 300 fire engines are actively working at the scene. Regrettably, one firefighter has died, and several survivors remain in critical condition.

The renovation of the estate, ongoing for the past year, cost approximately HK$330 million, with families contributing up to HK$180,000. The city’s anti-corruption agency has initiated its own inquiry into potential corruption involving the renovation contract.

Residents recounted the chilling moment the fire erupted. Long-time resident Harry Cheung described hearing a loud explosion before seeing flames devour one of the towers. Videos available online reveal the flames leaping from one structure to another as the scaffolding burned away.

Hong Kong citizens have taken to the internet to list missing relatives, with shared documents detailing names and pleas for information, including a tragic entry stating: “27th floor, room 1: He is dead.”

This disaster has drawn parallels to the Grenfell Tower fire in London, where lax regulations contributed to 72 fatalities. Many in Hong Kong are worried that similar conditions could pose threats in numerous other buildings across the city.

Several corporations like Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Geely, along with Jack Ma's charity foundation, have pledged support and donations to aid the victims of this calamity.

The fire occurs at a politically sensitive time, as Hong Kong gears up for a legislative election in December, potentially exacerbating public dissatisfaction regarding housing crises and government inaction.

Tai Po, with a population of around 300,000, exemplifies the crowded living situations that characterize Hong Kong, making the recent disaster impact not just property but family legacies and community stability.