By Asaye Bankole
A devastating fire has swept through the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, claiming at least 13 lives and leaving many more injured or trapped.
The blaze, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, engulfed several high-rise apartment blocks, with flames spreading rapidly across bamboo scaffolding surrounding the buildings.
The fire, classified as a Level 5 alarm, the highest severity level in Hong Kong, has prompted a massive emergency response, with over 700 firefighters and 128 firetricks deployed to the scene. Authorities have evacuated hundreds of residents, with some reporting being trapped inside the buildings.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials are focusing on the bamboo scaffolding and plastic construction mesh surrounding the buildings, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety in Hong Kong’s densely populated high-rise buildings, particularly those undergoing renovation work.
The government has announced plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding in favor of metal alternatives, citing safety concerns.
Eyewitnesses say people were standing on the overhead walkway, taking pics and looking worried as smoke poured out of the buildings. Some of the buildings had bamboo scaffolding, and folks on social media said they’d been renovating for about a year.
The scaffolding was falling, and firefighters were working hard to put out the fire. There were loads of fire trucks and ambulances on the road below. Apparently, 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances were at the scene.
The authorities set up a hotline for people worried about loved ones and opened shelters for those who had to leave their homes.
A nearby highway was also closed because of the fire. People living nearby were told to stay inside with doors and windows shut, and to chill . Others were asked to avoid the area altogether. The fire happened in Tai Po, near the border.
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