Bystanders witnessing a devastating fire at an apartment complex in Hong Kong urgently shouted for people to evacuate as the flames engulfed the building. The fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po area of Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a swift response from firefighters who were alerted at 3.51pm. Tragically, the fire, which spread rapidly through the building using bamboo scaffolding, has claimed the lives of 13 individuals, with several others hospitalized.
Newly released dramatic footage from Hong Kong captures the harrowing moment when onlookers yelled for evacuation as the massive towers, capable of housing 2,000 people, became engulfed in flames. Videos shared by a resident on social media show the progression of the fire from its early stages to the point where thick black smoke completely enveloped the structure. The clips depict sections of scaffolding collapsing and burning debris falling to the ground below, causing panic among the witnesses.
Amid the chaos, one person’s repeated screams of “leave!” echoed through the crowd, expressing the urgency of the situation for both bystanders and residents of the complex. Authorities have sadly confirmed the deaths of four individuals, including a firefighter, with concerns raised about the number of people possibly trapped inside. Local councillor Mui Sui-fung revealed that requests for assistance from residents who have lost contact with their loved ones have been pouring in.
Mui disclosed that despite the challenges faced by firefighters in accessing the building, most residents had managed to evacuate their blocks shortly before their arrival. He estimated that approximately 95% of the residents had been safely evacuated, along with occupants of neighboring public housing blocks. Wang Fuk Court comprises eight tower blocks, each standing at 31 storeys high and accommodating around 4,600 residents in nearly 2,000 flats, according to a government census from 2021.