Overview
- Chief Executive John Lee reported at least 36 fatalities and 279 people unaccounted for, with 29 still in hospital.
- The fire broke out at 2:51 p.m. at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po and was raised to a No. 5 alarm after dark, the city’s highest level.
- Firefighters deployed 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances as flames spread along bamboo scaffolding and protective netting during renovation.
- One firefighter is confirmed among the dead, and crews faced extreme heat, falling debris and strong winds that impeded rescues.
- Hundreds were evacuated to temporary shelters, sections of Tai Po Road were closed, and the cause remains under investigation.