A fire at the Wang Fuk Court public housing estate in Hong Kong has killed at least 55 people and left more than 270 unaccounted for. Thousands of residents have been relocated to temporary shelters.
The blaze began on Wednesday at 14:51 local time at the 31-storey estate in Tai Po district. Seven of the eight towers were affected. The estate, built in 1983, was undergoing renovation. About 40% of residents are aged 65 or older.
Police say mesh netting, plastic sheets and styrofoam were found on the buildings and may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Three men, aged 52 to 68, including two construction firm directors and an engineering consultant, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
The fire has been classified as level five, the highest alert. Firefighters deployed included 767 personnel, 128 engines and 57 ambulances. At least one firefighter died responding to the blaze, with another hospitalised.
Emergency shelters are operating across Tai Po, accommodating at least 900 residents. Six local schools have been closed, and authorities have established a hotline for missing persons.
Experts noted that bamboo scaffolding and substandard netting on older buildings may have increased the speed of the fire. Single-pane windows typical of the estate were more vulnerable than modern double-glazed designs.
