China’s top leadership has publicly offered deep sympathies to the victims and families affected by a catastrophic fire that recently ravaged a public housing estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. According to an official statement broadcast late Wednesday by state media outlet CCTV, President Xi Jinping extended his condolences following the massive blaze that resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries.
The devastating incident occurred at Wang Fuk Court, where a fast-moving fire claimed the lives of thirteen individuals, including one firefighter, and left at least 15 others in critical condition. The inferno, which ignited earlier this week, escalated quickly, fueled in part by extensive bamboo scaffolding surrounding parts of the complex.
Rapid Escalation and Widespread Damage
The fire’s severity underscored the danger posed by the rapid spread across aging urban housing structures. Witnesses reported that flames traveled quickly along the bamboo framework, which is commonly used in construction and maintenance across Hong Kong. The blaze ultimately impacted seven of the estate’s eight residential towers.
The initial alarm was raised and quickly intensified by emergency services. Hong Kong utilizes a five-level classification system for fires, with Level 5 denoting the highest operational severity. The incident rapidly escalated from an initial No. 1 alert to a No. 4 alert by 3:34 p.m. local time, culminating in the declaration of a No. 5 general alarm at 6:22 p.m. This final designation signaled an intensive, full-scale emergency response involving hundreds of personnel.
Thick, pungent columns of black smoke were visible billowing high above the residential complex as multiple residents found themselves trapped within the towers. Emergency calls flooded response centers, detailing multiple individuals unable to safely evacuate from the block where the fire originated. Initial reports from police confirmed that first responders found a man and a woman unconscious inside the structure, both suffering severe burns. Visual evidence from the scene showed large sections of the green safety mesh collapsing to the ground as the bamboo scaffolding was consumed by fire.
Ongoing Investigations and Casualties
Authorities have confirmed that rescue and firefighting operations are continuing, although the focus is now transitioning to forensic investigation. The primary objective is to determine the exact cause of the catastrophic blaze. Initial inquiries are centered on how the fire spread so rapidly and what contributed to the high casualty count.
Officials expect to release further details on the conditions of the wounded and any update on the total number of affected individuals in the coming days. The tragedy has prompted renewed discussions about fire safety protocols, particularly relating to construction materials like bamboo scaffolding used in high-density urban environments, and the need for updated evacuation plans in older public housing estates. This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the persistent safety challenges facing dense metropolitan areas.