Good morning, thanks for joining us as we continue coverage of the devastating fire that has gutted multiple apartment buildings in northern Hong Kong.
Here is a quick summary of the latest update from the Hong Kong government.
Firefighters and emergency services at the site of a fire engulfing residential buildings at Wang Fuk Court.Credit: Bloomberg
Death toll: The death toll is at 36 as of midnight. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said at a media briefing that 29 people have been hospitalised, seven in critical condition.
Firefighting efforts: ”Currently, 11 fire hoses and eight rotating steel ladder trucks are being used for water spraying at the scene, and 26 search and rescue teams are handling requests for assistance. In this operation, the Fire Services Department has deployed over 200 fire trucks and approximately 100 ambulances, with a total of over 1200 firefighters and paramedics involved.”
Evacuations: ”The Home Affairs Office has opened eight temporary shelters for residents in need and arranged shuttle buses to transport them. As of 9.30 pm [1.30am AEDT], approximately 900 people were using the shelters. The Tai Po Home Affairs Office will closely monitor the situation and open more shelters as needed.”
People look on as thick smoke and flames rise from a major fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district.Credit: AFP
Scaffolding: ”The Buildings Department has always implemented strict requirements for flame retardant properties to prevent the spread of fire in the event of a fire. Last month, the Department issued a circular to all registered building professionals and contractors, repeatedly reminding them to review and ensure that the protective netting and other materials used in the building works they are responsible for meet the approved standards for flame retardant performance.
“In response to this incident, the department… will take special action to require registered building professionals and contractors to review the fire-retardant performance records or relevant test documents of scaffolding protective netting and other components in ongoing projects.”
Building ownership: [The complex] is a sold homeowners’ housing estate, and the construction was carried out by Hung Yip Construction Engineering Limited, a registered contractor hired by the estate’s owners’ corporation.
The South China Morning Post has also reported renovations at Wang Fuk Court were being carried out by Prestige Construction & Engineering Co Limited.
