Breaking: Fire Engulfs Hong Kong High-Rise Under Renovation
By wellington Jopelo
A big fire burned through several tall apartment buildings in a Hong Kong housing estate on Wednesday. The fire killed multiple people and left others trapped, officials said. It started in the afternoon in the Tai Po area and spread quickly through the buildings.
The fire moved fast because it caught on the bamboo scaffolding and construction netting around the apartments. Firefighters used ladder trucks to pour water on the flames as thick smoke filled the sky.
Videos from the scene showed at least five buildings very close to each other on fire at the same time. Police said many people called to say they were stuck inside their homes and needed help.
The housing estate has eight blocks with almost 2,000 apartments. Rescue work continued into the evening. Some local reports said a firefighter may be among the dead, but this has not been confirmed.
The fire was raised to a No. 4 alarm, which is the second highest level in Hong Kong. This meant more fire crews and equipment were sent to try to control the flames.
Tai Po is a suburban part of Hong Kong, close to the border with Shenzhen in mainland China.
Bamboo scaffolding is commonly used in Hong Kong for building repairs. But the government has said it will start reducing its use because of safety concerns.