A massive fire engulfed a complex of eight towers in Hong Kong, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and 15 injuries, as reported by officials from the police and fire department.
A significant fire broke out in a complex of eight towers in Hong Kong, leading to tragic consequences with at least 13 people dead and another 15 injured, according to reports from local police and firefighters. Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating online show thick columns of smoke billowing from the residential buildings, highlighting the severity of the incident. The blaze was intensified by scaffolding made of bamboo which was consumed by the flames, making it difficult for residents to escape.
Among the deceased was a 37-year-old firefighter who collapsed at the scene and was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital but did not survive. Authorities have classified the fire at level 5 alert, the highest possible classification for such incidents, indicating the urgency and scale of the firefighting efforts required. Eyewitnesses reported that residents from the Wang Cheong, Wang Tai, and Wang Sun homes made desperate calls for help, indicating their inability to evacuate due to the rapid spread of the fire.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, has expressed condolences to the victims' families and promised a thorough investigation into the incident, as the community grapples with the fallout of this devastating event. The incident has raised questions about safety regulations in residential buildings, particularly those involving temporary structures like the bamboo scaffolding, and the effectiveness of emergency response protocols in such catastrophic situations.
