Hong Kong's Deadliest Fire in 77 Years Claims 130 Lives; Probe Underway
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A devastating fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has come to a close, with search and rescue operations concluding on Friday. The blaze, which ravaged the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, has left at least 130 people dead and several others missing. According to authorities, over 4,600 residents had been living in the eight-tower estate, which was undergoing renovations when the fire broke out. The fire, which occurred on Friday morning, was largely contained by dawn, thanks to the efforts of firefighters. However, the investigation into the cause of the fire has just begun. Three officials from a construction company, Prestige Construction, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The company had been carrying out maintenance work on the buildings, and authorities suspect that they may have used unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards, which blocked windows. As the investigation unfolds, police have seized documents and equipment from the construction company's office. Authorities believe that the company's negligence may have led to the deadly fire. The city's development bureau has also announced plans to replace bamboo scaffolding with metal scaffolding to prevent similar disasters in the future. The fire has been described as the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948, when a warehouse blaze claimed 176 lives. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many residents still reeling from the loss. As the city mourns the victims, authorities are working to identify those who remain missing and to investigate the cause of the devastating fire.
