Wednesday was a nightmare for the 7.5 million residents of Hong Kong — a land-scarce city where most people live in cramped, high-rise buildings. At 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT), a fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po, home to around 4,600 residents. Over the next 24 hours, the blaze tore through the estate before it was finally extinguished at around 10:18 local time (02:18 GMT).

The Site That Was

The fire erupted in one of the buildings of Wang Fuk Court, a high-rise, government-subsidised housing complex in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. The 33-storey, eight-building estate — built and occupied since 1983 — consisted of 2,000 units and housed more than 4,600 people. According to the 2021 census, nearly 40 per cent of residents were aged 65 or older, many with limited mobility, which may explain the unusually high number of casualties, as evacuation was slow and difficult.

The complex was undergoing major exterior renovations. All buildings were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and safety netting. Flammable polystyrene boards had been used to seal windows, which acted as an accelerant when the fire broke out on the scaffolding of Wang Cheong House — one of the blocks — and rapidly spread to seven of the eight towers.

The Story We Know

Here is what is confirmed so far from the fire that ripped through several high-rise buildings:

The Worst in a Century

The Tai Po inferno is Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in more than a century. The worst incident in the city’s history occurred in 1918, when a devastating fire tore through the Happy Valley Racecourse, killing 614 people. In August 1962, a fire in the Sham Shui Po district killed 44 people, while a blaze at the Garley Building on Nathan Road in Kowloon killed 41 people and injured 81 others in November 1996.

What Caused the Fire

Reports suggest the blaze began on the bamboo scaffolding outside one of the buildings. This scaffolding — made from bamboo poles used during repair work — burns easily. Once it caught fire, the flames quickly climbed the structure, entered the building and then spread to adjacent towers.

The blocks were also wrapped in green construction netting from top to bottom due to ongoing renovation work. This too caught fire, allowing the blaze to spread rapidly.

The Investigations

Investigations have been launched to determine the root cause of the accident. Initial assessments by authorities indicate that highly flammable Styrofoam materials used in the renovation works caused the fire to spread at an exceptional speed.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has moved swiftly, arresting at least eight individuals. Among those detained are senior staff members of the renovation firm, Prestige Construction & Engineering Co. Limited, who have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

Better Safety Records

Although fires are not unusual in Hong Kong — a densely populated, land-scarce city of 7.5 million — it is known for its strong public-safety record and stringent construction........

© News18