Tai Po Fire: Hong Kong High-Rise Blaze Kills 36, Many Still Missing

Tragedy struck Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday as a massive fire engulfed a high-rise housing estate. The catastrophic blaze, which started in the afternoon, has tragically killed at least 36 people, with one of the victims being a firefighter. Authorities are desperately searching for 79 missing individuals, as many residents are feared to be trapped within their smoke-filled homes. The fire rapidly spread across at least seven buildings in the complex. Witness accounts and initial reports suggest the fire ignited around 2:50 pm and ascended the buildings’ exteriors with alarming speed. The presence of bamboo scaffolding and green safety netting, used for renovations, significantly contributed to the fire’s rapid growth. This led to the declaration of a No. 4 alarm, signifying a critical emergency situation. Harrowing videos circulating online depict the scale of the disaster, with multiple residential blocks consumed by flames and dense smoke blanketing the area. Firefighters were seen in a desperate battle against the inferno from aerial platforms, while burning materials rained down from above. The Tai Po housing estate is a large, densely populated development featuring eight towers and accommodating over 4,800 people. Its location in the New Territories, an area with a high concentration of tall buildings, amplified fears of the fire spreading. Rescue teams are engaged in arduous floor-by-floor searches, working to find anyone still alive amidst the danger. Efforts are also focused on tackling remaining pockets of fire on the structure. Evacuated residents are being provided with temporary accommodation. Investigations into the origin of this devastating fire are ongoing.