Tragic Fire in Tai Po has Caused 13 Deaths and 15 Injuries, 767 Firemen and Paramedics Involved in Rescue

At around 8 p.m., the authorities held an inter-departmental press conference to explain the situation of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. It's stated that the fire had caused at least 13 deaths and 15 injuries, including a fireman who sacrificed. The injured were sent to several hospitals for treatment. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department has dispatched 767 firefighters and paramedics for on-site rescue.

The tragic fire in Tai Po

Mr. Chan Derek Armstrong, the Dep Director of Fire Services (Operations), Mr. Tang Wing Wah, the Assistant Director (New Territories North), Mr. Chou Wing Yin, the Asst Ch Ambulance Offr (New Territories East), Mr. Kong Wing Cheung, the Dist Commander (Tai Po), Mr. Siu Aubrey, the SP (Enforcement & Control Div) (East Operational Base) (Traffic NTN), Ms. Chan Hau Man, the Dist Offr (Tai Po), and Ms. Fung Man Yu, the Dist Social Welfare Offr (Tai Po/N) have explained the details on the spot.

Representatives from multiple government departments attended the press conference, Photo source: FB of the Fire Services Department

Mr. Chan first extended the deepest condolences on behalf of the Fire Services Department to the families of the deceased and injured. He pointed out that the fire broke out first at Wang Cheong House in the housing estate. Initially, the fire area was 27 meters by 27 meters. Due to the continuous spread of the fire and the constant calls for help from citizens, the department needed to increase the number of rescue personnel and thus raised the fire alarm to level five. The department mobilized 8 fire hoses and 7 steel ladders to spray water for rescue. A total of 128 fire engines, 57 ambulances and 767 firemen and paramedics were dispatched.

The No.5 Alarm Fire in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chou Wing Yin, the Asst Ch Ambulance Offr (New Territories East), Photo source: FB of the Fire Services Department

The rescue personnel are sending the injured people to the hospitals, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chou said that the Fire Services Department has dealt with a total of 28 injured people, among whom 9 were confirmed dead on the spot, 6 were seriously injured and sent to the hospital, and 4 died after being sent to the hospital. The injured were sent to North District Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin and Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po for treatment, respectively. Among the injured and deceased, one fireman sacrificed, one principal fireman suffered a foot injury, and one fireman suffered from heat exhaustion.

Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chan Derek Armstrong, the Dep Director of Fire Services (Operations), Photo source: FB of the Fire Services Department

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

The residents of Wang Chi House in Wang Fuk Court have continued to return home to collect their belongings. Ms Leung, who lives in Wang Chi House, said she came back to take important documents and necessary supplies. She pointed out that the government has arranged for her to return after three or four weeks. Currently, all the units of Wang Chi House have water and electricity, and the elevators are operating normally. However, the floor is wet. Ms Leung also mentioned that apart from the door, there is no damage to her house for the time being.

The residents of Wang Chi House in Wang Fuk Court have continued to return home to collect their belongings. Photo by Bastille Post

Ms Leung, Photo by Bastille Post

The 73-year-old man, Mr Lam, has lived in Wang Shing House of Wang Fuk Court for over 40 years. In his eyes, the main cause of the fire disaster was the malfunction of the fire protection system, while the biggest problem was the management company's operations. Additionally, he hoped that the government could help to provide housing assistance to the affected residents, "At least I can have a place to settle down." said Mr Lam. He also hoped that he could be resettled to another place away from the area near Wang Fuk Court since returning here would bring psychological trauma to him. At present, He has stayed temporarily at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Mong Kok for about two weeks. After that, he will need to find volunteers or social workers to follow up on subsequent matters. "Although staying in Mong Kok is convenient, it cannot be a forever solution." he said.

Mr Lam, Photo by Bastille Post

Emmanuel Serna, a French journalist who has lived in Hong Kong for over a decade, said that it was very moving to see volunteers come to the site of the fire and reach out a helping hand to the affected residents. When he saw the fire disaster on TV, he had mixed feelings: "I think it's very sad. Many people are suffering. A lot of people died. They have lost everything, so it's very sad."

Emmanuel Serna, Photo by Bastille Post