Hong Kong Firefighters Conclude Search After Deadly Tower Blaze

Firefighters in Hong Kong have completed their search for survivors following a catastrophic fire that killed at least 94 people in the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex. The blaze, which spread rapidly across seven of the eight towers, is considered one of the deadliest in the city’s history.

Fire Details and Rescue Efforts

The fire ignited on the afternoon of March 13, 2024, and quickly engulfed the high-rise buildings, fueled by bamboo scaffolding and netting used for ongoing renovations. Fire crews worked for over 24 hours to control the fire, which reached a five-alarm status, involving more than 1,000 firefighters.

Deputy Director of Hong Kong Fire Services, Derek Armstrong Chan, stated that the final search efforts focused on apartments that had received over 25 calls for assistance during the blaze. Many of these calls came from higher floors, where the fire was most intense and difficult to extinguish.

Officials have reported that as of early Friday morning, they were still unable to contact 279 residents. Chan expressed the urgency of confirming that no further casualties remained in the affected units. The final search was expected to conclude later on Friday, marking the end of the rescue phase at the complex located in the Tai Po district, a suburban area near Hong Kong’s border with mainland China.

Investigation into Cause and Possible Negligence

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire, with Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency looking into potential corruption linked to the renovation project at the complex. Three individuals, including directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, face charges of manslaughter and gross negligence.

As part of their investigation, police seized documents from the construction company, which was responsible for renovations. Concerns have been raised that some materials used in the building’s exterior did not meet fire resistance standards, contributing to the rapid spread of the flames. Investigators discovered highly flammable plastic foam panels attached to the windows near the elevator lobby of the one unaffected tower.

The tragic incident has prompted immediate inspections of other housing estates undergoing major renovations to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The fire has left more than 70 individuals injured, including 11 firefighters, and resulted in approximately 900 people being housed in temporary shelters.

This disaster marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in decades, surpassing a similar incident in 1996 that resulted in 41 fatalities in a commercial building in Kowloon. As the community mourns its losses, officials are faced with the challenge of ensuring accountability and enhancing safety measures to prevent future tragedies.