TAI PO, HONG KONG — Emergency services in Tai Po were stretched thin on Wednesday night, November 26, as a separate hillside fire ignited near Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School, while a massive five-alarm conflagration continued to rage at Wang Fuk Court residential complex just across the river. Multiple distress calls alerted authorities to the brush fire around 10:13 p.m., prompting the immediate dispatch of firefighting and ambulance personnel to the location behind the school premises. The incident compounded an already significant emergency situation gripping the northern New Territories district.
The outbreak of the wildfire occurred on the slope directly behind Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School, situated adjacent to Kwong Fuk Estate. This location is geographically close, separated only by a water channel, from the extensive fire operations underway at Wang Fuk Court. Initial reports received by the Hong Kong Police Force specified a wildfire spreading on the hillside, requiring urgent attention to prevent its expansion toward populated or institutional areas.
The timing of the secondary fire presents substantial logistical challenges for the city’s emergency response apparatus. With the larger Wang Fuk Court fire already escalating to a five-alarm status—indicating a severe and difficult-to-control incident demanding maximum resources—the simultaneous nature of the hill fire necessitates the division and rapid deployment of available teams. Fire Services Department crews were described as being “en route” to the school site shortly after the reporting time, indicating a prompt but challenging mobilization effort.
Context of Concurrent Emergencies
Hill fires, or bushfires, are common occurrences in Hong Kong, particularly during the drier seasons, often exacerbated by strong winds. While potentially less structurally damaging than a residential tower fire, uncontrolled hillside blazes pose significant threats due to their rapid spread, potential to consume green belts, and proximity to densely populated urban areas, including schools and housing estates.
Authorities prioritize managing such concurrent emergencies by strategically allocating resources based on the immediate threat to human life and property. The presence of a recognized educational institution like Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School near the newly erupted fire zone dictates a swift containment strategy to ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
This incident highlights the operational resilience required of Hong Kong’s emergency services when faced with multiple, high-priority events occurring simultaneously within a confined geographical area. Further updates are expected as firefighters arrive on the scene to assess the intensity and scope of the Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School hillside fire, aiming to bring the situation under control before it can fully escalate. Local residents are advised to monitor official channels for safety instructions and potential road closures related to both emergency incidents.