TAI PO, HONG KONG — A fast-moving, massive fire tore through a residential tower in the Tai Po district on Monday afternoon, resulting in at least four fatalities and three injuries, two critically, and prompting a rare Level Five emergency declaration by fire services. The blaze erupted around 2:52 p.m. at Wang Cheong House in the Wang Fuk Court estate, rapidly engulfing exterior scaffolding before spreading across multiple floors and forcing a widespread firefighting operation.
The inferno, marked by thick plumes of black smoke visible from meters away and even in the adjacent Sha Tin district, began dramatically. Initial reports suggest the fire originated on external building materials, possibly wooden scaffolding, before quickly escalating. Within moments of the initial alarm, the Fire Services Department (FSD) declared the incident a Level Three fire at 3:02 p.m., escalating it further to a Level Four at 3:34 p.m. Due to the extreme intensity and complexity of the response required, it was later classified as a Level Five incident, indicating one of the most severe types of structural fires in the territory.
Fire crews immediately deployed two water jets and two breathing apparatus teams to combat the flames. The high-risk operation led to at least one firefighter being reported among the casualties. Eyewitness accounts reported seeing a firefighter, encased in protective gear, being rushed to the hospital with visible soot covering their body, suggesting close proximity to the intense heat and smoke.
Residents Describe Chaos and Fear
The tragedy has severely impacted residents of Wang Cheong House, some of whom watched in despair as their homes were consumed by the flames. One resident, visibly distraught at the scene, questioned the speed and scale of the emergency response.
“It burned for hours, and there was only one ladder truck,” the resident lamented, expressing deep sorrow over the destruction of their property and immediate concern over being displaced.
Compounding the fear, several residents reported unusual complications during the initial stage of the incident. Reports surfaced that the building’s fire alarm system may not have activated immediately upon the fire breaking out, potentially delaying evacuation efforts and contributing to the rapid spread of the disaster.
Operational Challenges and Disruptions
The prolonged conflagration, which saw repeated loud explosions reported from the site, posed significant operational challenges for the FSD. The intense heat and structural volatility necessitated continuous deployment of specialized resources to prevent further loss of life.
In the immediate vicinity, traffic and public transit were severely affected. Police temporarily closed both directions of Tai Po Road – Yuen Chau Tsai section, a major artery, forcing significant detours for most bus routes and causing widespread congestion throughout the Tai Po area.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding construction site safety and residential building emergency protocols. Authorities have initiated a full investigation into the cause of the fire, focusing on the materials used in the exterior scaffolding and the functionality of the building’s internal safety systems, including the non-functioning fire alarms. The investigation will also examine the overall emergency response procedure to glean lessons that may prevent future fatalities in similar high-rise incidents.
The immediate priority remains supporting the bereaved families and ensuring comprehensive recovery services for the dozens of residents displaced by the catastrophic destruction. The injured remain under close medical supervision, with the fate of the two critically wounded hanging precariously in the balance.
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