A terrible fire, the worst Hong Kong has seen in over seventy years, has destroyed a public housing complex in the Tai Po district. The fire killed at least 94 people and has left the local community in deep sadness. The disaster started on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court complex. It burned for three days, completely engulfing seven of the estate's eight 32-storey towers and creating an extremely difficult situation for firefighters.
The fire began just before 3 p.m. and spread across the outside of the buildings with frightening speed. According to video analysis by BBC Verify, the flames jumped from the first building to a fourth-floor level in only six minutes. Officials believe the fire spread so quickly because of unsafe bamboo scaffolding and highly flammable foam materials that were covering the buildings for repairs. This dangerous combination, authorities say, created the perfect conditions for a catastrophe. The first firefighters arrived only six minutes after they were called, but by that time the fire was already out of control.
The rescue effort was made much harder by the intense heat, thick smoke, and falling pieces from the damaged scaffolding. The dangerous conditions are clear from the story of one survivor, who was miraculously rescued from a 16th-floor stairway a full day after the fire started. The human cost is immense. In addition to the 94 people who died, which included one firefighter and two domestic workers from Indonesia, 76 people were hurt, 11 of whom were firefighters. As of Friday, hundreds of residents are still missing, with earlier reports suggesting over 250 people.
This catastrophe has caused widespread public anger and a quick official reaction. Chief Executive John Lee has promised a full investigation, and three construction company executives have been arrested. They are suspected of manslaughter and serious negligence. The government is focusing on the role of the construction materials. However, many members of the public are sceptical of this explanation. Critics argue that blaming the bamboo scaffolding ignores bigger, long-term problems with building safety rules. They also point to the dangers of living in very crowded high-rise buildings, which can become extremely hazardous during an emergency.
The tragedy at Wang Fuk Court, which was home to about 4,800 people, has highlighted public worries about affordable housing and safety standards in a city famous for its tall buildings. Now that the fire is finally out, the city is not only mourning its loss but is also facing urgent questions about who is responsible and how to ensure urban safety in the future.