- Officials say firefighters cannot enter burning buildings.
- Certified firefighter dead after suffering facial burns.
- Police say residents were trapped as the flames spread rapidly.
A major fire ripped through several high-rise blocks in a Hong Kong residential estate on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people, and media reported that some residents were trapped inside.
The massive flames first took hold of the bamboo scaffolding of several apartment blocks at the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po, a district in the northern part of the Chinese financial centre, before engulfing other parts of the buildings.
A AFP The journalist heard loud crackling sounds, possibly coming from burning bamboo, and saw thick plumes of smoke billowing from at least five of the eight buildings on the property as flames and ash rose into the sky.
“Nothing can be done about the property. We can only hope that everyone, no matter old or young, can return safely,” said a 57-year-old Tai Po resident surnamed So. AFP near the scene of the fire.
“It's heartbreaking. We're worried there are people trapped inside.”
The fire showed no signs of abating after nightfall, and flames within the tower blocks cast an eerie orange glow on surrounding buildings.
Police previously said they had received reports of residents trapped in buildings, according to Hong Kong media reports.
Officers at the scene said AFP On condition of anonymity, they could not confirm whether residents were still trapped in the buildings as of nightfall, adding that “firefighters can't get in.”
The government Fire Department said 13 people had died, including nine at the scene and four who had been taken to hospital.
Another 15 people were injured and two were hospitalized in serious condition, he said around 8:15 p.m. (12:15 GMT).
A 37-year-old firefighter lost contact for about half an hour and was found with burns to his face, and was certified dead after being rushed to hospital, according to fire services director Andy Yeung.
Authorities declared a five-alarm fire, the highest level, as night fell.
'Don't you dare leave'
The owner of a residential unit in his 40s said AFP that the government needed to help those left homeless by the fire.
“The fire is still not under control and I don't dare leave and I don't know what I can do,” he said.
The South China Morning Post newspaper said police had begun evacuating two buildings in another nearby housing estate.
Authorities set up a victim hotline and opened two temporary shelters at nearby community centers for evacuated residents.
Firefighters also closed sections of a nearby highway.
“Nearby residents are advised to stay indoors, close doors and windows, and remain calm,” the Fire Department said.
“Citizens are also advised to avoid approaching the area affected by the fire.”
Four people were hospitalized after another building scaffolding fire in Hong Kong's central business district last month.
Hong Kong has some of the most densely populated (and tallest) apartment blocks in the world.
Deadly fires were once a common scourge in densely populated Hong Kong, especially in poorer neighborhoods.
However, in recent decades safety measures have been intensified and these fires have become much less common.
The Association for the Rights of Victims of Industrial Accidents expressed “deep concern” about scaffolding-related fires, noting similar incidents in April, May and October.
Authorities have not yet commented on the possible causes of the fire.
