A massive fire tore through Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court complex, leaving at least 44 dead and nearly 300 missing. There have also been a few arrests.
Hong Kong Firefighters Battle Massive Skyscraper Blaze Through the Night
Authorities have arrested three senior members of a construction company for suspected manslaughter after the massive fire that destroyed the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Hong Kong claimed 44 lives and left nearly 300 others missing.
According to the police, according to Reuters, early signs indicate that the fire spread quickly because of the use of foam installations and unsafe scaffolding materials during ongoing renovation work.
In Tai Po, a large housing complex with thousands of residents in the northern district, firefighters fought through the night to reach residents who were thought to be trapped on the upper floors.
Several 32-story towers were affected by the fire, which started on Wednesday afternoon and raged for over 15 hours. Thick smoke continued to pour from several blocks well into Thursday morning, and flames were still visible.
Four of the impacted blocks had been partially brought under control, according to the authorities, but operations were still ongoing in three more where the situation was still very dangerous.
The buildings were covered in plastic sheeting and green construction mesh, which may not have complied with fire safety regulations, according to police officials.
In one of the unaffected blocks, investigators also discovered windows sealed with foam material—an installation purportedly completed by the renovation company currently under investigation.
According to Hong Kong Police Superintendent Eileen Chung, who was quoted in the report, officers believe the company acted with “gross negligence,” allowing the fire to spread uncontrollably and resulting in a catastrophic loss of life.
The company has detained two of its directors as well as an engineering consultant.
At least 45 people are in critical condition, and one firefighter is among the dead.
The tragedy surpasses the deadly Kowloon commercial building fire in 1996, which claimed 41 lives, to become the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since World War II.
The extent of the damage has been compared to the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London in 2017, which resulted in 72 fatalities due to flammable cladding and regulatory lapses.
The government’s immediate priorities, according to Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, are putting out the last of the fires and saving those who are still trapped.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, China’s President Xi Jinping demanded a “all-out effort” to contain the fire and reduce casualties while keeping an eye on developments from Beijing.
Significant disruption has also been caused throughout the city by the fire. Due to heavy traffic and blocked access, at least six schools announced closures, dozens of roads were blocked, and 39 bus routes were rerouted.