Overview
- Hong Kong’s chief executive later reported at least 36 deaths and 279 people unaccounted for, superseding fire services’ earlier confirmation of 13 fatalities.
- The blaze began around 14:51 on exterior bamboo scaffolding and construction netting at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, then spread to seven of the complex’s eight towers.
- Officials raised the incident to a level‑5 alarm by 18:22, deploying over 120 fire engines and dozens of ambulances as falling debris and extreme heat hampered access.
- One firefighter was among the dead and dozens were injured, while more than 700 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters as hospitals treated multiple victims.
- Fire leaders said crews found polystyrene inside affected blocks, a factor under investigation for accelerating interior spread during renovation work under dry, windy conditions.