Refer China: Massive High-rise Fires Kill at Least 14 People in Hong Kong

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Massive High-rise Fires Kill at Least 14 People in Hong Kong

At least 14 people have died after a fire broke out across three blocks of a high-rise Hong Kong housing complex on Wednesday.

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Police said they have received multiple reports of people trapped inside homes in the Wang Fuk Court complex, located in Hong Kong's northern Tai Po district.

Firefighters are battling to contain the fierce fire amid plumes of thick smoke. Live video from the scene showed firefighters aiming jets of water at the flames from ladder on firefighting trucks. At least one firefighter is reported to be among those killed.

Wang Fuk Court is a 2,000-unit residential complex made up of eight blocks in total.

The blaze erupted at 2.51pm local time and has been upgraded to a No 5 alarm fire, the highest level of severity, the Fire Services Department said.

At least seven people were taken to two hospitals for treatment, the Hong Kong government said.

It said that out of these, "four persons were certified dead, two persons are in critical condition and one person is in stable condition".

Strong winds fanned the flames of a fire that broke out at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in the Tai Po district on Wednesday.

Fire services said that they continued to grapple with the heat in the upper parts of the buildings, which was getting tougher as night fell.

Hong Kong authorities have opened temporary shelters for residents affected by the fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex.

The government says accommodation is now available at the Kwong Fuk Community Hall and the Tung Cheong Street Leisure Building.

A help desk has also been set up at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital to assist displaced residents and handle public enquiries, alongside a dedicated hotline: 2658 4040.

Officials say the Tai Po District Office is "closely monitoring" the situation and will open additional shelters if required.

Source: Independent, 南方都市报