Hong Kong High-Rise Inferno Kills 75, Over 250 Missing; Police Arrest 3 Construction Executives
At least 75 people have been confirmed dead and more than 250 others are missing after a massive fire ripped through a high-rise housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, marking the city’s deadliest blaze in decades.
Authorities announced that three men from a construction company were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter as investigators probe allegations of gross negligence and the use of highly flammable exterior materials.
City’s Deadliest Fire in Years
Hong Kong officials confirmed that at least 62 additional residents were injured, many suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation. Firefighters battled flames across seven of the complex’s eight residential towers after the fire broke out Wednesday afternoon.
By Thursday morning, fire crews reported gaining control of blazes in four of the towers, though dangerous heat levels continued to hinder search and rescue operations.
A 37-year-old firefighter was among the victims. Fire Services Department Director Andy Yeung said the department is “deeply saddened by the loss of such a devoted comrade.”
Bamboo Scaffolding and Flammable Materials Fueled the Blaze
Authorities said the fire began on the external scaffolding of a 32-story tower undergoing renovation. Intense winds helped flames spread rapidly through the bamboo scaffolding and into neighboring buildings.
Live footage showed dramatic scenes of thick smoke, falling embers, and firefighters using ladder trucks to spray water onto the upper floors as the blaze escalated to a level-5 alarm — Hong Kong’s highest rating.
Officials suspect that some materials used on the exterior walls did not meet fire resistance standards. Police said they also discovered highly flammable foam insulation outside elevator lobbies on every floor of a tower that had not yet caught fire.
Three Construction Executives Arrested
Police said the unsafe materials were believed to have been installed by a construction company conducting the building’s renovation. Officers arrested three men — aged 52 to 68 — who are directors or engineering consultants at the firm.
“We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent,” said Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung.
Massive Deployment and Evacuations
The blaze triggered a massive emergency response, with more than 140 fire trucks and 60 ambulances deployed to the scene. Police received numerous reports of residents trapped inside the towers.
The housing complex, built in the 1980s and home to nearly 4,800 people across almost 2,000 apartments, was undergoing major renovation when the fire began.
Approximately 900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters as search operations continued into the night.
Local officials said many trapped residents were believed to be elderly, according to Tai Po District Council member Lo Hiu-fung.
Hong Kong Officials Urge Residents to Stay Indoors
The Hong Kong Fire Services Department urged residents living near the complex to remain indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid the fire zone until conditions stabilize.
Xi Jinping Offers Condolences
Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to the family of the firefighter who died and expressed sympathy for the families of all victims, state media reported.
Tai Po is a suburban area near the border with Shenzhen, and the fire marks the region’s deadliest incident since a 1996 Kowloon blaze that killed 41 people.
Investigation Underway
Authorities continue to search for survivors while conducting a full investigation into the cause of the fire and the construction company’s alleged negligence. The death toll is expected to rise as crews access more areas of the buildings.
