At least 13 people, including eight women and three men, have died and at least 15 more have suffered injuries, including six said to be in serious condition
Hundreds of pets are trapped in the Hong Kong apartment block disaster, it is feared.
The animals were left unable to evacuate the blaze, which quickly spread on bamboo scaffolding set up around the exterior of the complex as part of ongoing renovations, on Wednesday. Zoie Cheng Kam-shan, business development director of the Hong Kong Pet Club, said the organisation had deployed two pet ambulances to the scene to receive animals rescued from the fire and transfer them to nearby veterinary clinics.
She said: “We estimate that every block has more than 10 animals of different species. We have received over 70 reports but are receiving more. So I estimate that there will be more than 100.”
The animal lover spoke out as survivors of the Hong Kong apartment block disaster claimed fire alarms failed to go off when the blaze broke out. Former district councillor Herman Yiu Kwan-ho said residents reported the alarms did not go off even after they began to smell burning.
And he claimed those inside were only alerted when a security guard knocked on their doors, leaving them with little time to evacuate. Resident Chan Kwong-tak, 83, added: “If someone was sleeping then, they were done.” Mr Chan added he had long raised concerns about the quality of work of the external wall project and workers’ smoking to the management office. But he claimed all his grievances went unaddressed.
He spoke out as other residents began to express their anger about the fire, including resident Kwong Pui-lun, a former chairman of Wang Fuk Court’s owners’ corporation. Mr Kwong said he saw Wang Cheong House on fire while exercising in a nearby park and immediately rushed home and urged his neighbour to flee as the fire alarm was not ringing. Mr Kwong added: “I always see construction workers smoking, and they litter cigarette butts everywhere.”
A 40-year-old woman, surnamed Cheung, also said she had seen construction workers smoking. She added she understood notices had been issued to fine the workers after residents complained, but she questioned whether the measures were effective and said she believes smoking may have caused the fire.
Speaking after evacuating her home, she also criticised the emergency response. She said: “I thought about not evacuating at first, figuring the fire was far away, and there was no need to run. It’s already like a chain of boats on fire, with no one putting out the flames – they’re just watching the buildings burn. Are we all going to end up sleeping on the streets together?”.
Wang Tao Court resident Miss Wong, who lives on a low floor, also questioned why Hong Kong authorities have not deployed water bombs to speed up the operation, which has now been ongoing for hours.
As of 1pm UK-time on Wednesday, it was reported at least 13 people, including eight women and three men, have died and at least 15 more have suffered injuries, including six said to be in serious condition. There are fears the death toll could rise, with multiple reports of people trapped in the housing complex, which is made up of eight separate blocks and home to more than 1,900 households.
Officials say they do not yet have an exact figure for the number of people who may still be trapped inside the buildings, which are still on fire despite the best efforts of a total of 767 firefighters and 400 police officers who have been deployed to battle the raging blaze.
The dead include a hero firefighter who perished after losing contact with his colleagues. Ho Wai-ho, 37, had reportedly served as a firefighter for nine years and was stationed at the city’s Sha Tin Fire Station.
Officials say he arrived at the raging fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district at 3.01pm local time on Wednesday. He lost contact with colleagues at 3.30pm before being found unconscious with burns to his face half an hour later in an open area.
Paramedics performed first aid and CPR in a bid to save him, but he was later declared dead after being taken to hospital. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said: “I am profoundly grieved at the passing of Mr Ho, who lost his life in the course of an operation. I offer my deepest condolences to his family members.”
Officials say another firefighter suffered a left leg injury, while another suffered heat exhaustion. According to reports from the scene, loud explosions continued as the fire spread to nearby blocks, including Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House. Residents, including elderly people with walking sticks and in wheelchairs, were seen being evacuated to temporary shelters, including one at CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School.
They were also being bussed to Kwong Fuk Community Hall and Tung Cheong Street Community Hall, which officials say will remain open overnight for those affected by the fire. Seven people were also reportedly taken to the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment, including two who were in critical condition.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent his condolences to those who died and their loved ones, according to state broadcaster CCTV. President Xi has reportedly demanded an all-out effort to put out the fire and minimise the casualties and loss of life caused by the blaze.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he has activated an emergency incidents monitoring and support centre to receive reports from the Security Bureau and the Fire Services Department and direct rescue work. He said: “The fire has caused multiple casualties and injuries. I express my deepest sorrow and condolences to the families of the deceased and injured.”
Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of fire services, said: “Debris and scaffolding of the affected building are falling down, posing additional danger to our frontline personnel. Besides, the temperature inside the building is very high, it’s quite difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations. It has become dark so our rescue and firefighting operation is becoming more difficult.”
Tai Po, the area where the disaster happened, has a population of about 300,000. It is a residential district near the border with the mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen. Wang Fuk Court is a complex under the government’s subsidised home ownership scheme and has been occupied since 1983.
A Fire Services Department spokesperson said: “Residents nearby are advised to stay indoors, close their doors and windows, and stay calm. Members of the public are also advised to avoid going to the area affected by the fire.”
Officers have set up a hotline for members of the public to ask about casualties as a result of the blaze. The hotline number is 1878 999.