A devastating fire erupts in a high-rise complex in Hong Kong, and kills 55 people and leaving hundreds missing. The disaster, the worst in the city’s financial hub in decades, began on Wednesday afternoon in an eight-building housing estate with 2,000 apartments. It sent shockwaves through a city known for its dense population and tall residential blocks.
Police arrest 3 in case of Hong Kong Fire
Police reported that they arrested three men in case of fire. Flammable materials left over from maintenance work caused the fire to spread quickly out of control. Officers searched a separate neighborhood on Thursday morning, taking documents regarding the three men who police believe acted with gross negligence by leaving foam packaging at the fire site.
AFP journalists at the scene shortly after dawn on Thursday saw some flats still on fire, although the flames had noticeably subsided during the early hours. The intense fire first ignited on bamboo scaffolding on several 31-storey apartment blocks of Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district, which was undergoing repairs throughout the estate.
55 killed in devastating fire
A reporter heard loud cracking sounds, possibly from the burning bamboo, and saw thick smoke rising from the Hong Kong high rise buildings as flames and ash soared into the sky. A 65-year-old resident with the surname Yuen said he had lived in the complex for over 40 years and that many of his neighbors were old age and may not have been able to move quickly.
“The windows closed because of the maintenance. Some people not know there was a fire and had to be told to evacuate by neighbors over the phone,” Yuen told AFP. “I’m devastated.” Among the deceased was a 37-year-old firefighter, found with burns on his face half an hour after losing contact with colleagues, according to fire service director Andy Yeung. A spokesman told that 56 people treated in the hospital. 16 were in critical condition, 24 were serious, and 16 were stable.
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