Post by : Rameen Ariff

One of Hong Kong’s worst residential fires in decades has killed at least 44 people, while hundreds more are still missing, leaving families waiting anxiously for any news. The massive blaze broke out on Wednesday afternoon inside a 2,000-unit high-rise complex in the Tai Po area, shocking a city known for its tall apartment buildings and extreme population density.

How the Fire Started and Spread

The fire began on Wednesday and continued to smolder into early Thursday. Residents said they saw flames climbing the building quickly, fueled by burning bamboo scaffolding, which is widely used for construction work in Hong Kong. Explosions could be heard from the scaffolding, and thick black smoke filled the sky.

What began as a fire in one block soon spread to three, then four buildings, leaving people trapped inside their homes.

Residents Describe the Horror

People living nearby said they felt helpless as they watched the flames grow stronger.

One resident said she watched the fire move from building to building and called the experience “truly terrifying.”
Another woman said she was heartbroken as she imagined families losing everything: “A home, gone in flames. It’s painful even to say it.”

Many families rushed to a temporary shelter set up by authorities, hoping to find relatives they had lost contact with. Some sat silently with red, tired eyes, staring at their phones for updates.

Elderly Residents Most Affected

The neighborhood has many elderly residents who rely on wheelchairs and walkers. A 65-year-old resident said he and his wife lost their home and explained that the building was undergoing maintenance work. Because of this, many residents had kept their windows closed and did not hear the fire alarm in time.

He also noted that even a firefighter had lost his life while trying to control the blaze.

Community Support and Donations

As the night grew colder, volunteers arrived to distribute blankets, pillows, and basic supplies to those seeking shelter. Ordinary citizens also brought food, water, and other essentials to support survivors.

A young volunteer said he planned to stay at the site until rescue operations were complete. He believed that construction issues may have played a major role in the incident.

A Rare but Deadly Tragedy

Hong Kong once faced frequent deadly fires, especially in older and crowded districts. But stricter safety rules in recent decades have greatly reduced such disasters. Residents in the area said they never imagined a fire could spread so far and burn for the entire night.

Some people said they watched helplessly as the buildings burned: “We didn’t know what anyone could do,” one resident explained.

Government Response

Hong Kong’s leader announced that a special task force will investigate the cause of the fire. The findings will be submitted to the coroner to determine how and why the tragedy happened.

Residents say the government must give a clear explanation to the public, especially to those who lost their families and homes overnight.

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