A devastating fire broke out on Wednesday, claiming the lives of four individuals and trapping others in a high-rise housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. Authorities reported that the inferno rapidly spread across several buildings, engulfing at least five structures and prompting a significant emergency response.
Firefighters battled the intense flames using ladder trucks, directing water at the blazes that erupted from multiple apartment windows. The fire was fueled by bamboo scaffolding and construction netting surrounding the complex, which houses nearly 2,000 apartments. The Hong Kong government confirmed the fatalities and stated that three individuals were hospitalized, with two in critical condition and one reported as stable.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire in the mid-afternoon, and the situation escalated to a No. 4 alarm fire, the second-highest level of severity as classified by the Fire Services Department. Eyewitness accounts described a column of flames and thick smoke billowing into the sky, creating a chaotic scene in the residential area.
While local media outlets reported that one of the deceased may have been a firefighter, this information has not yet been officially confirmed. Authorities received multiple distress calls regarding individuals trapped inside the affected buildings, highlighting the urgent need for rescue operations.
The Tai Po district is situated in the northern part of Hong Kong, near the border with Shenzhen, a major city in mainland China. Bamboo scaffolding is commonly used in construction and renovation projects throughout Hong Kong. However, the government announced earlier this year plans to phase it out for public projects due to safety concerns.
As emergency teams continue their efforts to manage the aftermath of this tragic incident, the local community is left grappling with the loss and destruction caused by the fire. Further updates are expected as investigations into the cause of the blaze commence.
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