At least 13 dead and scores injured after fire engulfs residential high-rise blocks in HK

A massive fire ripped through multiple high-rise residential blocks in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Nov 26, killing at least 13 people and injuring scores more as the authorities struggled to bring the blaze under control.

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as smoke rises while flames engulf bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong's northern Tai Po district on Nov 26. Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction. PHOTO: REUTERS

(REUTERS)

“The Fire Services Department handled a total of 28 casualties, nine of whom were certified dead at the scene. Six others were sent to hospital in serious condition, and four of them later died,” Ms Chou Wing Yin of the Fire Services Department told a press briefing at around 8.15pm.

The announcement of the death toll and others who are trapped came as the massive fire engulfed multiple high-rise towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po district, the government and Fire Services Department said.

Firefighters continued to battle the blaze as dusk fell, with thick black smoke billowing from the 31-storey towers and orange flames lighting up the night sky.

The housing complex is home to 2,000 residential apartments, comprising eight blocks.