Death Toll Reaches 65 in Hong Kong High-Rise Block Fire
Shenzhen, China — Some of the fires that consumed several high-rise residential blocks in Hong Kong were still burning late on Thursday, as the death toll in the tragedy climbed to 65, emergency services said.
A further 70 were injured in the blaze in the Tai Po district, including 10 firegithers. The exact number of missing is not known, although authorities previously estimated that 279 people were unaccounted for.
Seven of the eight tower blocks in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, home to 2,000 flats, went up in flames on Wednesday afternoon.
More than 1,200 firefighters responded to the inferno, as trapped residents called for help.
Photos and videos from the scene showed large plumes of smoke rising from the scaffolded towers, with burning debris falling to the ground.
Although the blazes were largely under control, the fire brigade on Thursday reported that there were still flames in three of the tower blocks.
While authorities have yet to determine a cause for the blaze, the 32-storey buildings were clad in bamboo scaffolding for renovation work, which likely allowed the fire to spread quicker.
The police have arrested three men from a construction company on suspicion of negligent homicide.
Wearing large masks, they led the men away in front of the camera. The company's offices were also searched.
Authorities said the materials used for the work may not have complied with fire safety regulations.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has ordered an inspection of all buildings undergoing major renovation in the territory, one of China's two special administrative regions along with Macau.
There have been repeated concerns about the fire safety of bamboo scaffolding, which is traditionally used in construction.
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