AT least 44 people were confirmed dead and 279 others remained missing after a massive fire swept through a residential estate in Tai Po, tearing across bamboo scaffolding surrounding seven housing blocks, authorities said Thursday.
The Fire Services Department reported that 45 of the dozens hospitalized were in serious condition.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addressed the public from Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin early Thursday, following a visit to a nearby community hall the night before.
The blaze was first reported at 2:51 p.m. on Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court and rapidly intensified, sending thick black smoke towering over the estate.
Flames quickly spread across bamboo scaffolding attached to seven of the estate’s eight residential blocks.
Video footage showed entire sections of bamboo scaffolding engulfed, with fiery fragments of green mesh collapsing onto the ground. The scaffolding had been installed for ongoing renovation work.
Authorities said they are considering multiple possible causes and have launched a full-scale investigation, including the possibility of criminal liability.
