By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – According to media reports on Wednesday a massive fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has killed 36 people, made it the city’s deadliest blaze in 30 years, with bamboo scaffolding suspected to have started the fire.
Media reported 36 killed, while several were injured, and 279 were still missing after seven high-rise residential towers caught fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday.
Hong Kong chief executive John Lee has briefed the press that 36 people have died in the fire in Tai Po, with at least 279 people not accounted for.
As per the latest update, the fire has been doused in three buildings, while signs of fire are seen in four buildings, Lee said in press briefing.
“More than 800 firefighters and paramedics, with 140 fire engines have been deployed to deal with the blaze,” quoted Lee by media.
Lee said that out of the seven buildings that were ablaze earlier, three were now not showing any signs of flames. He informed that four buildings showed “disparate signs of fire”
Authorities have opened temporary shelters for affected residents.
A care team member told South China Morning Post that CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School has been converted into a temporary shelter and has sufficient supplies on its premises.
Media reported that the impacted buildings were covered in bamboo scaffoldina common feature in Hong Kong’s construction and renovation work. Bamboo scaffolding is more flammable than the metal scaffolding used in many other major cities.
According to visuals, bright flames engulfed the towers, damaging multiple floors, with thick black smoke emanating into the sky.
Those killed is a firefighter who lost his life while battling the blaze, Hong Kong’s fire department confirmed local media.
The incident occurred in the northeastern part of the city’s New Territories, triggered a significant emergency response as firefighters worked to control the blaze.
The firefighters are still working to stop the blaze.
