Hong Kong — A massive fire tore through multiple high-rise towers in Tai Po on Wednesday, killing four people and leaving several others trapped inside the residential complex as emergency crews struggled to bring the blaze under control.
Public broadcaster RTHK reported that two people are in critical condition with severe burn injuries. Several firefighters were also hurt while battling the flames, which engulfed parts of the 31-storey towers.
Witnesses said thick grey smoke poured from the buildings, some of which were covered in bamboo scaffolding, as residents and onlookers gathered on a nearby overhead walkway in shock. Dozens of fire engines and ambulances filled the road below.
The Fire Services Department said it received the first report at 2:51 p.m. local time about the blaze at Wang Fuk Court, a housing complex consisting of eight residential blocks with nearly 2,000 units. The fire was upgraded to a No. 4 alarm — the city’s second-highest classification — at 3:34 p.m., signalling a major emergency.
Authorities have not confirmed how many people remain trapped inside the affected towers. Bamboo scaffolding, still widely used in Hong Kong, could also complicate firefighting operations, officials said.
Hong Kong’s Transport Department announced that a major stretch of Tai Po Road, one of the city’s key highways, has been shut down due to the fire, forcing traffic diversions and bus route changes.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and officials say the situation remains critical.
