Blaze rips through Hong Kong complex, four dead

HONG KONG: Four people were killed and three others injured after a fire swept through a residential complex in Hong Kong, according to news agencies. The blaze, which began in wooden scaffolding installed around the building for construction purposes, quickly engulfed three adjacent towers, leaving multiple residents trapped inside.

Fire crews have been battling the flames for more than an hour as rescue operations continue. Authorities have closed an entire section of the Tai Po Highway due to the incident, while several bus routes have also been diverted to facilitate emergency response, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The blaze erupted at Wang Fuk Court, a major housing complex consisting of eight residential blocks with nearly 2,000 units. According to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, emergency calls began flooding in at 2:51 PM local time, reporting flames erupting from one of the towers.

Within minutes, the fire intensified, forcing authorities to raise the alarm level to No 4 at 3:34 PM, signaling a severe emergency requiring major reinforcements.

Dramatic scenes unfolded as debris rained down from the burning structure and firefighters battled the inferno from multiple angles, spraying powerful water jets at the engulfed tower. Thick smoke continued to billow upward, visible from kilometers away.

Local broadcaster RTHK, citing police sources, reported that several people remained trapped inside the building, while one man suffered serious burns and was rushed to hospital.

The surrounding towers, many sheathed in bamboo scaffolding due to ongoing maintenance, added to concerns about the fire potentially spreading, though authorities did not immediately confirm any secondary ignitions.

As emergency crews worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and conduct rescue operations, residents from neighboring blocks were evacuated, and streets around Wang Fuk Court were sealed off.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, and officials are expected to launch a full investigation once the building is secured. The situation remains fluid as firefighters continue their efforts late into the evening.