The fire in Hong Kong is already “under total control”, says the local Chief Executive

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, stated this Thursday that the fires declared in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex “are now totally under control”, while search and care operations continue for those affected by the disaster, which has already left at least 55 dead and 76 injured. Lee, quoted by local media, indicated that the authorities will shelter 1,800 affected residents and that an assistance fund of 300 million Hong Kong dollars (38 million dollars, 33 million euros) will be established. The fire, declared on Wednesday, affected seven towers of the residential complex, which was undergoing an exterior renovation process.

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The Hong Kong leader also announced the cancellation or postponement, for a period yet to be determined, of all festive events organized by the Government, while senior officials will reduce their presence in non-essential activities. The Administration plans to hold an official act of mourning, the details of which will be announced later, and announced the opening of a bank account to collect donations. Lee also indicated that each affected household will receive emergency aid of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars ($1,285, €1,110) to cover immediate needs. The fire has devastated seven of the eight 31-story blocks that make up the Wang Fuk Court complex in the Tai Po district, and has become the worst urban fire in Hong Kong in three decades. The fire started in one of the buildings and spread extremely quickly, fueled by the bamboo scaffolding covered with safety nets, waterproof tarpaulins, and expanded polystyrene sheets used in the exterior renovation works that began in July 2024. Authorities consider the speed of propagation “unusual” and have confirmed the presence of highly flammable expanded polystyrene materials within the blocks. The Fire Department had deployed 1,250 personnel, 304 emergency vehicles, 26 specialized teams and four aerial surveillance drones, and continues to advance floor by floor in rescue and cooling operations. The supervisors warned of the risk of partial collapse of the scaffolding, from which fragments have already fallen, forcing personnel to take extreme caution. Local Police have arrested two directors and an engineering consultant from the contractor responsible for the works, accused of negligent homicide for the use of materials that would have facilitated the rapid spread of the fire. In addition, agents searched the offices of the company that manages the complex and the home of one of the suspects today, while the investigation into the origin of the incident continues. Also, Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced this Thursday the creation of a special team to investigate possible irregularities or corrupt practices in the renovation works.