A massive five-alarm fire ignited at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on Tuesday, resulting in numerous casualties and trapping residents inside multiple housing blocks well into the evening hours. The severe conflagration necessitated sustained, complex firefighting operations as emergency services grappled with intense heat and widespread smoke, while numerous households remained fully engulfed by the flames.
The incident drew urgent attention to the plight of vulnerable residents, including a 90-year-old wheelchair user, identified by the surname Ho, and her Indonesian domestic worker, who is in her thirties and speaks Putonghua. The pair was last confirmed to be inside Flat 08 on the 22nd floor of Wang Tao House.
Ms. Ho’s son, Mr. Yu, described the harrowing situation, stating he maintained a connection with his mother immediately after the fire erupted while simultaneously contacting emergency services. Firefighters acknowledged awareness of the two trapped individuals. However, the connection with his mother abruptly ended around 6:30 p.m., and subsequent attempts to reconnect were unsuccessful. Calls to the domestic worker’s mobile went unanswered, and her communication app status provided no updated activity, leaving family members unable to confirm their well-being. Anxiously waiting near the estate, Mr. Yu appealed to the media for assistance as search and rescue efforts intensified overnight.
Escalating Crisis and Public Response
The unfolding disaster galvanized the local community and media. Live streams broadcast by news outlets prompted an influx of messages from concerned viewers relaying real-time information about trapped individuals and providing specific flat numbers to aid rescuers. Separately, online comments detailed critical conditions within smoke-filled units, including reports of a mother and infant experiencing severe distress inside a flat at Wang Cheong House.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Fire Services Department (FSD) issued crucial safety guidance for those unable to evacuate. Officials urged trapped residents in safe areas to remain indoors, immediately close all doors and windows, and specifically seal any gaps—such as door frames—using wet towels and adhesive tape to mitigate smoke ingress. They also advised contacting the FSD with exact unit numbers and headcounts.
Initial assessments indicated that access to higher floors was severely restricted due to fully alight flats and dangerously high interior temperatures. The coordinated response, managed through a central communications center, prioritized moving occupants to safety as soon as crews could advance into the upper levels of the affected towers.
Ongoing Rescue and Safety Guidance
As the intense rescue operation continued through the night, the domestic worker remained unaccounted for alongside her elderly employer. The complexity of the structural fire and the intense conditions severely hampered efforts to reach all affected units.
Authorities issued a stern warning advising the public to completely avoid the immediate vicinity of Wang Fuk Court to ensure unobstructed access for emergency vehicles and personnel. They emphasized that residents and onlookers must rigorously follow all safety guidance provided by emergency teams working to stabilize the volatile situation. Further updates regarding the status of the missing and injured are anticipated pending improvements in environmental conditions within the complex.
The tragic event underscores the critical need for comprehensive fire safety plans in high-density residential buildings and the importance of immediate, clear communication during large-scale urban emergencies.