At Least 13 People Dead in Fire at Hong Kong High-Rise Residential Buildings

At least 13 people have died, and an unknown number remain trapped following a major fire that engulfed several 31-story residential buildings in the Wang Fuk Court complex in the northern Tai Po district, according to Qrnews.kz, citing Reuters.

The fire broke out during the day and rapidly spread to seven of the eight blocks in the complex. Thick black smoke rose over the district, with flames visible from several kilometers away. Firefighters battled the blaze overnight, which was escalated to the highest danger level — level five.

Among the 13 fatalities was one firefighter, and more than ten people sustained injuries. The exact number of residents who may still be trapped inside remains unknown.

Local resident Mr. Wong, 71, said his wife was trapped in one of the buildings. Another resident, 66-year-old Harry Chung, recounted hearing a loud bang and seeing a neighboring block erupt in flames:

“I don’t even know what I feel right now. I’m just thinking about where I’ll stay tonight.”

Eyewitnesses also reported that bamboo scaffolding, used to cover parts of the buildings during renovations, collapsed as the fire spread.

Wang Fuk Court is a large subsidized residential complex occupied since 1983. Tai Po, home to roughly 300,000 residents, is one of Hong Kong’s densely populated suburban districts. Bamboo scaffolding remains widely used in the city, though authorities have announced a gradual transition to metal structures for safety reasons.

The fire also closed a section of the key Tai Po Road, with bus routes redirected. Last April, five people died in another residential building fire in Hong Kong.