TAI PO, Hong Kong — A catastrophic five-alarm fire ripped through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Wednesday, claiming multiple lives and leaving several residents unaccounted for, prompting frantic searches by anguished families across the city. Among those missing are a 16-year-old student, her elderly grandmother, and her uncle, who vanished after the blaze consumed their apartment in Wang Tai House, underscoring the human toll of this devastating urban tragedy.
The extensive residential complex fire triggered a massive emergency response, forcing scores of residents to evacuate and leaving an indeterminate number displaced. As rescue teams continue combing through the scorched units for victims and survivors, the focus remains sharply on missing persons, whose families are enduring a harrowing wait for any news.
The disappearance of secondary school student Lai Hoi-kei, her grandmother (aged over 70), and her uncle has galvanized a wide search effort. Hoi-kei’s boyfriend, Mr. Leung, provided a chilling timeline of the final known moments, documented through text messages.
Hoi-kei, who had returned home after taking an exam, first messaged him via WhatsApp around 3 p.m. local time, reporting the situation. At 3:08 p.m., she wrote that the unit next door was “on fire.” Just seven minutes later, the danger escalated, with a message stating the fire was “burning over here.” The last text, sent at 3:23 p.m., was a desperate “I’m in so much pain,” before all communication ceased.
The student’s extended family is now caught in a relentless search. While Hoi-kei’s grandfather, who happened to be downstairs at the time of the inferno, was safely located, the fate of the three relatives remains unknown. Hoi-kei’s brother has taken to social media platforms, including Threads, sharing photographs of his grandmother and appealing to the public and media for assistance in locating them.
“We’ve been searching for so long and haven’t found anything,” said a family friend, echoing the widespread anxiety.
Family members, including Mr. Leung and Hoi-kei’s brother, have repeatedly contacted emergency hotlines, visited community centers and hospitals, and even reviewed identification photos of recovered victims at the scene, but to no avail. Their coordinated social media campaign aims to leverage the vast communication capabilities of the internet to gather potential sightings or information.
Community Steps Up Amid Chaos
In the immediate aftermath, hundreds of displaced residents faced the cold night with nowhere to go. Many sought refuge on outdoor platforms within the nearby Kwong Fuk Estate, sheltering under blankets. The community swiftly mobilized, transforming the area into an impromptu aid station as sympathetic neighbors arrived with donations of bottled water, bread, and blankets, providing temporary relief to the suddenly homeless.
Even those not directly affected felt compelled to help. Mr. Yu, a citizen who initially tried to assist with animals that might have been trapped in the fire zone, soon shifted his focus. He revealed that his friend’s parents lived in Wang Fuk Court and were also among the missing, asking him to stay at the site and look for any clues.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The fire, which local media described as one of the most severe in recent years, has incurred significant casualties and structural damage. The Fire Services Department continues meticulous search and rescue operations across multiple affected units.
As emergency services work to ascertain the full extent of the tragedy and confirm the complete list of casualties, families hover nervously near the cordoned-off complex. The desperate wait for definitive news underscores the profound impact the Wang Fuk Court fire has had on this quiet residential community, with many hoping that continued search efforts will bring closure, or perhaps, a miracle. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the missing residents to contact the investigative task force immediately.
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