Firefighter Dies in Massive Blaze Involving High-Rise Buildings in Hong Kong

A firefighter is among 13 people who have been killed as flames engulfed several high-rise buildings in Hong Kong. 

Officials say the fire started in a residential high-rise block on Wang Fuk Court and that several adjacent buildings in the Tai Po community were covered with bamboo scaffolding as flames spread.

The South China Morning Post reports that seven of the eight housing blocks are burning, with people trapped in many of the buildings.

The fallen firefighter has been identified as Ho Wai-ho.

“I am profoundly grieved at the passing of Mr Ho, who lost his life in the course of an operation," Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said. "I offer my deepest condolences to his family members.

The fire began Wednesday night and continues to burn Thursday morning, with 767 firefighters staffing 128 fire apparatus and 57 ambulances responding and approximately 400 police officers on scene.

"The temperature inside the building is very high, it’s quite difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations," said Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of fire services.

Falling debris has posed significant dangers to responders as they work on rescue efforts.

Chan said that, despite such tough conditions, they are trying to rescue residents and asked them to seal off their windows to prevent smoke from getting into their living spaces.

More than a dozen injuries - with some listed in critical condition - have been reported and over 500 residents were moved to a shelter.