Rescue efforts following the fatal fire in Tai Po are expected to continue through Thursday night, officials said as police arrested three people involved in the renovation of the affected buildings on suspicion of manslaughter.
The details were disclosed during a press conference held early Thursday, after the blaze at Wang Fuk Court — a housing estate comprising eight towers and nearly 2,000 units — claimed 44 lives, including one firefighter.
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The incident left thousands affected and kept rescue teams working overnight.
According to the Fire Services Department (FSD), 58 people were injured as of Thursday morning. Fifteen of them are in serious condition.
More were rescued from the inferno before dawn.
Over 1,200 firefighters and rescue personnel remain on site, working to bring the fire under control and search for survivors.
The fire, which broke out at 2:51 pm on Wednesday, spread rapidly across seven of the estate's eight towers. The FSD reported that the fire at four buildings has since been brought under control.
Rescue operations began on the ground floors and are progressing upward level by level. The FSD estimates that firefighters may reach the rooftops of the burning buildings by late afternoon or evening on Thursday.
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Authorities suspect that negligence during renovation work was a key factor behind the tragedy. Three people responsible for the renovations were arrested early Thursday on suspicion of manslaughter.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the exterior protective film, waterproof canvas, and plastic sheeting used on the buildings may not have met fire safety standards.
Police also discovered that windows outside elevator lobbies on each floor of one building not affected by the fire had been sealed with styrofoam — a highly flammable material that could accelerate the spread of flames.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has pledged full support for rescue operations and a comprehensive investigation into the fire.
Adjacent roads remained closed on Thursday morning to facilitate rescue work.
At least 13 schools in the district are closed for the day, with some having been converted into temporary shelters overnight. Several local restaurants are offering free meals and drinks to those affected.
In this worst fire before yesterday’s one, a fire broke out on Nov 20, 1996, at the Grand Lisboa Building in Hong Kong that burned for 21 hours, resulting in 41 deaths and 80 injuries.
Contact the writer at williamxu@chinadailyhk.com
