HONG KONG — Fire Services Department officials provided a grim update Wednesday afternoon detailing ongoing rescue operations at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, where a catastrophic No. 5 alarm fire has significantly impacted seven of the residential estate’s eight towers. By 8 p.m., the devastating incident had claimed at least 65 lives, triggering a massive mobilization of emergency resources aimed at containing the destructive blaze and preventing further loss of life.
The widespread inferno, initially reported earlier in the day, prompted one of the region’s largest recent fire responses, involving over 1,200 firefighters, 26 dedicated search-and-rescue teams, and 304 fire and rescue vehicle deployments. While four blocks have seen their fires completely extinguished and another three were brought under control, the sheer scale and complexity of the event have posed immense operational challenges to responders.
Escalating Casualties and Complex Operations
The fire caused widespread destruction, leading to a mounting casualty count. In addition to the confirmed fatalities, 81 individuals were transported to hospitals for treatment. Tragically, four of these patients succumbed to their injuries after admission, and 12 remain in critical condition. The sacrifices extend to the front lines, where one firefighter perished while executing rescue duties. Officials confirmed that of the 341 distress calls received across the affected blocks, 279 have been successfully addressed. No outstanding distress calls were reported in the four blocks where the fire has been confirmed as out.
Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, crews faced significant obstacles. Around 5 p.m., firefighters battled numerous flare-ups and visible flames in multiple residential units, hindering containment efforts. Specialized teams, supported by eight aerial ladder platforms, focused on suppressing lingering hot spots to prevent reignition. Four dedicated drones were deployed to provide aerial monitoring for any renewed thermal activity. One firefighter required hospital treatment after becoming unwell during the intense operations.
Tactical Rescue Efforts Amid Heat Hazards
Commanders emphasized the tactical difficulties presented by the widespread fire, citing its exceptionally rapid spread and the extremely confined, complex conditions inside the residential structures. Rescue efforts required a sustained, floor-by-floor tactical search, necessitating forced entry into every apartment unit. Response teams adapted their strategy, deploying sizable crews—approximately eight to nine appliance shifts per level—due to the modest apartment floorplates.
Key operational challenges included navigating extreme internal heat, managing the structural risk posed by potentially collapsing scaffolding, and processing numerous simultaneous rescue requests across the expansive site. The multi-level tactical assault, described by officials as “vast in scope,” continued deep into the night, underscoring the department’s commitment to exhaustive search efforts.
“We will not abandon hopes of finding more survivors,” a department spokesperson stressed, noting that all resources are currently concentrated on rescue, with structural integrity assessments being conducted continually to ensure responder safety. One successful extraction involved an elderly male resident rescued from the 31st floor of Wang Tai House.
In the aftermath, while life-saving operations continue as the paramount priority, officials confirmed that an investigative task force has been immediately established. This team will focus on determining the fire’s origin, assessing the functional status of the building’s fire alarm systems, and investigating any potential breaches of fire safety protocols.