The blaze, which broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a large residential development home to approximately 4,600 residents, has been classified as a Level Five incident—Hong Kong’s most severe fire rating.

Firefighters Face Extreme Conditions

According to officials, emergency crews have been working throughout the day under intense heat and heavy smoke. The Hong Kong government confirmed the death of a 37-year-old firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty. He was described as “dedicated and gallant”, and authorities have offered their condolences to his family.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and it remains unclear how long full containment will take. Vast plumes of smoke continue to rise from several apartment blocks, with teams deployed both inside the buildings and along surrounding streets to prevent further spread.

Residents Still Unaccounted For

There are unconfirmed reports that some residents may still be trapped inside the burning towers. Search and rescue teams are conducting systematic sweeps of the complex, but officials have not yet verified the number of individuals unaccounted for.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as residents attempted to flee through smoke-filled corridors and stairwells. Emergency shelters have been established nearby to support displaced families.

Government Response

Authorities say they are mobilising additional resources, and counselling services are being made available to affected residents and families of the victims. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive is expected to make a formal statement later today.

As investigations continue, the tragedy marks one of the deadliest residential fires in Hong Kong in recent years, prompting renewed questions around high-rise fire safety and emergency preparedness in densely populated districts.

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