Fire: High-rise building fire in Hong Kong: More than 40 people died and three people were arrested

At least 44 people died in a massive fire at a high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong. According to authorities, 45 other people are in critical condition. In addition, 279 people are missing, as Hong Kong Prime Minister John Lee said in China’s Special Administrative Region. This means that the number of victims continues to increase significantly after the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in the Tai Po district.

Authorities had classified the fire at the highest alert level five in the afternoon (local time). Initially it was said that at least 29 people were being treated in hospital. The cause of the fire is still unclear. An investigation has been carried out into the safety standards of the bamboo scaffolding and the green netting attached to it.

According to a report in Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post, three men were arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the fire. Police will hold a press conference on Thursday regarding the details.

Hong Kong head of government: Fires are slowly under control

According to information, a firefighter was also among the dead. As confirmed by the Chinese Special Administrative Region government, the 37-year-old man was found unconscious at the scene and was initially taken to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Lee said emergency services had gradually brought the fire under control, the South China Morning Post reported. All available emergency services must be mobilized to extinguish the fire. Chinese state and party leader Xi Jinping offered condolences from Beijing, Chinese state television reported. He assured the special administrative regions to provide support.

The fire destroyed a number of residential buildings

According to reports citing the fire department, fire engulfed seven apartment blocks in the complex. In the afternoon, several calls were received from people trapped in their homes. The area includes eight residential buildings, each 32 floors, and a total of almost 2,000 apartments. Therefore, all buildings are surrounded by scaffolding for renovation work.

Photos and videos from the scene showed large plumes of smoke rising from high-rise residential buildings. It was also seen that the facade scaffolding was burning on several floors and burnt parts had fallen to the ground. Apart from that, the source of the fire was also visible in each apartment.

Hundreds of emergency services on site

Residents who were around the scene of the incident were advised to close windows and doors and avoid the area around the burning building. Hong Kong Police set up a telephone service so that the public could obtain information about the victims.

As the South China Morning Post reported, more than 800 firefighters and paramedics were deployed in more than 140 vehicles. About 900 people sought shelter in shelters set up by the city government until late at night (local time).