Overview
- Authorities say the death count remains provisional, with many people still unaccounted for and dozens hospitalized, including injured firefighters.
- The fire swept across seven of the complex’s eight towers after igniting on exterior works, with wind, plastic sheeting and polystyrene acting as accelerants.
- The incident was raised to a rare five‑alarm emergency as hundreds of firefighters battled extreme heat and falling debris that hindered floor‑by‑floor rescues.
- Police arrested three men linked to Prestige Construction & Engineering on suspicion of gross negligence, and the ICAC opened a corruption inquiry into the renovation project.
- Chief Executive John Lee ordered immediate inspections of active renovation sites and announced emergency cash assistance and a relief fund for displaced residents of the largely elderly housing estate.