A catastrophic fire has ravaged a high-rise apartment block in Hong Kong, resulting in at least 44 fatalities and hundreds of residents feared trapped. The blaze, which started mid-afternoon and spread rapidly through the 31-storey Wang Fuk Court complex, has led to a massive emergency response with over 120 fire engines and hundreds of firefighters on the scene. The fire, which housed nearly 5,000 people, is believed to have started on the external scaffolding of one block before moving inside and spreading to adjacent buildings, likely intensified by strong winds.
Preliminary investigations indicate that highly flammable styrofoam was used to seal lift windows on every floor, contributing to the fire’s rapid spread. Three individuals, including two company directors and a consultant for the contractor that renovated the buildings, have been arrested on manslaughter charges for allegedly using non-compliant materials that fueled the disaster. As the search for missing persons continues, officials remain concerned about the safety of the remaining residents and the potential for further casualties.