26.11.2025 18:55
A fire continues in a residential complex with 8 apartment buildings in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, where approximately 4,000 people reside. It has been reported that 13 people trapped in the rapidly spreading fire, exacerbated by bamboo scaffolding set up for building renovations, have lost their lives, and 15 others have been seriously injured. While firefighting teams are still battling the flames, images from the scene have revealed the extent of the disaster.
A fire broke out in a site located in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, which consists of 8 apartment buildings.
MORE THAN 4,000 PEOPLE LIVE IN 1,900 APARTMENTS
The fire spread rapidly due to bamboo scaffolding set up on the exterior of the buildings for renovations in a site that has more than 1,900 apartments. It is estimated that around 4,000 people reside in the site, while the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
13 DEAD, 15 INJURED SO FAR
Authorities stated that they received reports of people trapped in the building where the fire started. Officials shared that flames spread to all apartment units within the site, and 128 firefighting vehicles and 57 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. In the following hours, it was announced that 13 people, including one firefighter, had died, and 15 others were seriously injured in the fire.
5TH LEVEL ALARM ISSUED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 17 YEARS
Officials reported that two nearby sites were also evacuated, and public areas were opened for local residents to spend the night. The Ministry of Transportation announced that surrounding roads were closed to traffic due to the fire. In Hong Kong, where a 5-level grading system is used for the severity of fires, a 5th level alarm was issued for the first time in 17 years.
THE IMAGES ARE HORRIFYING
As firefighting teams continued to intervene in the fire, images from the scene revealed the severity of the blaze. The footage showed firefighters responding to apartments engulfed in flames, covered with bamboo scaffolding on the exterior.