At least 13 people have died after a massive fire tore through several high-rise towers of a residential complex in northern Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. Firefighters battled the blaze at dusk, with thick black smoke billowing from the 31-story towers and orange flames lighting up the night sky.
Nine people were pronounced dead at the scene and four others who were sent to hospital were later confirmed dead – while up to 15 others were injured, the Associated Press reported.
According to the government, three people are in critical condition and another is seriously injured. The fire has been classified as a level five incident – Hong Kong’s most severe classification – and some residents are said to be still trapped inside buildings. Pictures and videos on social media show flames climbing the bamboo scaffolding surrounding the high-rise blocks as firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish the flames.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Department of Transport has closed several roads and diverted more than 30 bus routes from the affected area. Officials say they are “closely monitoring the traffic situation in real time” as the emergency response continues.
How did the fire start?
The fire started at Wang Fuk Court in northern Hong Kong’s Tai Po district – which is home to 4,600 people and has almost 2,000 apartments. At the time of the fire, the complex was undergoing renovation.
The fire broke out in mid-afternoon after authorities upgraded it to a Level 5, the highest level of severity, after dark, the fire department said. The fire was still raging after midnight local time.
Police evacuated nearby buildings and set up an emergency line.
What caused the fire?
One eyewitness reportedly said he feared the fire could continue late into the night as firefighters continued to try to bring the flames under control. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
A fireman among the dead
At least 13 people are still trapped in the fire, former district councilor Herman Hiu Kwan told local media.
A firefighter who was battling the flames was among the dead, the Hong Kong Fire Department reported to the BBC.
District officials in Tai Po opened temporary shelters for people left homeless by the fire. According to the AP agency, about 700 people were evacuated to temporary shelters.
Five people died last year after a fire broke out in a densely populated apartment building in Hong Kong’s bustling Kowloon district in April.
