A towering inferno swept through a residential block in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, sending dense grey smoke across the neighborhood as emergency crews battled a fast-moving fire that trapped people inside the high-rise.
Authorities said the blaze erupted at Wang Fuk Court at 2:51 p.m. and intensified rapidly, prompting officials to upgrade the incident to a No. 4 alarm — the city’s second-highest emergency classification — just over 40 minutes later. Reuters reported that at least one man suffered severe burns and that multiple residents were unable to escape as the fire climbed the building’s exterior.
The tower is part of a large eight-block housing complex containing roughly 2,000 units. Several of the surrounding structures were covered in bamboo scaffolding, a common feature in Hong Kong construction but one that firefighters say can accelerate the spread of flames. Media outlets, including RTHK and the South China Morning Post, reported that the blaze raced up the scaffolding as firefighters worked to reach trapped residents.
Live footage from local broadcasters showed heavy plumes of smoke rolling from the upper floors while flames curled around the building’s frame. Police confirmed they received a surge of emergency calls from people inside who could not make it out as conditions deteriorated.
The Sun reported that flames and smoke crawled up the 35-story façade, with video capturing the intensity of the burning scaffolding and the speed with which the blaze spread. Fire crews worked from the ground and elevated platforms, attempting to contain the fire while still searching for those stranded inside.
Hong Kong’s dense urban landscape and reliance on bamboo scaffolding have long posed challenges for firefighting, particularly in older or tightly packed districts like Tai Po. Fires in high-rise buildings often escalate quickly due to vertical airflows and limited evacuation routes, complicating rescue operations even under normal conditions. Wednesday’s blaze underscores those risks, especially when external scaffolding becomes a conduit for flames that can leap from one level to the next.
The rapid escalation to a No. 4 alarm signals the severity of the incident, as such classifications are reserved for fires requiring large-scale manpower and advanced coordination across multiple emergency units. The incident also raises questions about site safety protocols, especially around active construction or maintenance work where external scaffolding remains in place.
As firefighters continue working to stabilize the structure and locate anyone still inside, the blaze is likely to renew conversation in Hong Kong about fire safety standards in crowded public housing complexes and the vulnerabilities created by external renovation materials. It also highlights the strain on emergency services in high-density districts where rescue operations hinge on speed, vertical access, and the ability to navigate smoke-filled towers.
Authorities have not yet released updated casualty figures or confirmed how many people remain trapped as efforts continue into the evening.
Reuters/Thesun
