A rapidly escalating fire tore through multiple high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, leaving a devastating toll of at least 13 confirmed deaths adn 15 injuries, including firefighters AP. The blaze, which prompted a Level 4 response from the Fire Services Department, quickly engulfed structures partially clad in bamboo scaffolding – a common, yet increasingly scrutinized, construction material in the city. Authorities are currently responding to reports of residents trapped inside the affected complex, comprised of nearly 2,000 apartments across eight blocks.
AP
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A fast-moving fire that engulfed multiple high-rise apartment buildings in a Hong Kong residential complex on Wednesday resulted in 13 deaths and left numerous residents trapped, authorities reported.
Another 15 people were injured, according to Chou Wing Yin, deputy chief ambulance officer, during a press conference Wednesday evening.
Video footage from the scene showed at least five buildings ablaze, with flames erupting from numerous apartment windows. Firefighters battled the intense blaze from the extended ladders of fire trucks.
The fire generated a towering plume of flames and thick smoke as it spread across bamboo scaffolding and construction netting surrounding the exterior of the complex, located in the Tai Po district.
Records indicate the residential complex consists of eight blocks containing nearly 2,000 apartments.
Police reported receiving multiple calls about people trapped inside the affected buildings.
Nine of the fatalities, including one firefighter, were confirmed at the scene, while four people died after being transported to a hospital, officials added.
Two firefighters are among the 15 injured: one is suffering from severe exhaustion and the other sustained a leg injury.
The fire was reported in the mid-afternoon and was escalated to a Level 4 alarm fire, the second-highest level of severity, according to the Fire Services Department.
Tai Po is a suburban area in the New Territories, in the northern part of Hong Kong and near the border with the Chinese mainland city of Shenzhen.
Bamboo scaffolding is common in Hong Kong on building construction and renovation projects, though the government announced earlier this year it would begin phasing it out from public projects due to safety concerns.
