Hong Kong Fire Tragedy: 13 Killed as Blaze Tears Through Seven Residential Towers

A massive blaze swept through a cluster of residential towers in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, leaving 13 people dead and several others injured.

The fire erupted in the afternoon and rapidly engulfed multiple buildings wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and construction netting, creating a fast-spreading path for the flames. As night fell, the scene turned grim with thick smoke, bright flames and residents scrambling for safety while firefighters battled the inferno.

Scale of Destruction and Rescue Response

Authorities said nine people were declared dead at the site, while four more died after being taken to the hospital. The death toll included one firefighter and another who had to be treated for heat exhaustion. At least 15 others were reported injured as the fire tore through seven towers in the housing complex that consists of eight blocks with nearly 2,000 apartments sheltering about 4,800 residents.

More than 700 people were evacuated to temporary shelters as dozens of teams poured into the area. Fire Services Director Andy Yeung said crews had received numerous reports of residents trapped inside the burning buildings. Firefighters rushed 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances to the scene as they tried to attack the flames from multiple angles, using ladder trucks to reach the upper floors.

How the Blaze Spread So Quickly

Video footage showed a frightening wall of fire running across adjacent buildings, with flames shooting from several windows. The bamboo scaffolding that covered the exterior of the towers became a dangerous conduit for the fire's spread. The government has previously expressed concerns about the safety risks of bamboo scaffolding and had announced plans to gradually phase it out for public construction work.

The fire was elevated to a level 5 alarm, the highest severity classification in Hong Kong, shortly after nightfall. Despite hours of firefighting, the blaze continued to rage deep into the night.

Human Stories from the Ground

Residents described the panic and helplessness they felt as they watched their homes burn. "I've given up thinking about my property," said a resident identified only by his surname Wu. "Watching it burn like that was really frustrating."

Lo Hiu-fung, a Taipo District Council member, told TVB that many of those trapped were believed to be elderly. Police confirmed they had received numerous distress calls, though they did not provide additional details. District officials quickly opened temporary shelters to accommodate those who escaped but were left without a place to stay.

A Community Left Reeling

Tai Po, located near the border with Shenzhen, is usually known for its calmer suburban character. The scale of the fire and the number of lives lost have shaken the community. With assessments and investigations still underway, questions loom over safety standards and the structural vulnerabilities that allowed the fire to spread so quickly.