A major fire has broken out at a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district, leaving several people trapped and injuring residents and firefighters.
According to Hong Kong authorities, the blaze erupted on Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court, a public housing estate comprising eight residential blocks with nearly 2,000 units. The Fire Services Department said it received the first distress call at 2:51 p.m. local time and raised the incident to a No. 4 alarm at 3:34 p.m., which is the territory’s second-highest fire alert level.
Eyewitness footage and photos showed thick grey smoke pouring from several towers as flames raced up bamboo scaffolding surrounding parts of the buildings, complicating firefighting efforts.
Local broadcaster RTHK, citing police sources, reported that several people remain trapped inside, while at least two people have suffered severe burns. Other reports indicate more casualties and injuries, including among fire services personnel battling the blaze with ladder trucks and hoses from the ground. (Reuters)
The fire has also caused significant traffic disruption. Hong Kong’s Transport Department announced that a section of the Tai Po highway has been closed, with bus routes diverted away from the danger zone to allow emergency access and protect commuters.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the Tai Po area, stay indoors if nearby, and keep windows closed due to smoke. The incident remains ongoing at the time of filing, with officials yet to release a full casualty tally or confirm the cause of the fire.
