7 Hong Kong high-rises on fire; 13 killed, 700 evacuated, some still trapped

"A fire spread across seven high-rise apartment buildings in a Hong Kong housing complex, killing 13 people and leaving others still trapped, in the city's worst blaze in years. Nine people were declared dead at the scene and four others who were sent to the hospital were later confirmed dead, authorities told reporters. At least 15 others were injured, and about 700 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters."

"Authorities said that hundreds of firefighters, police officers and paramedics were deployed. Firefighters aimed water at the intense flames from high up on ladder trucks. The blaze started mid-afternoon, and authorities upgraded it to a level 5 alarm, the highest level of severity, after nightfall, the Fire Services Department said. The blaze was still raging late into the night, and authorities said that conditions remained very challenging for firefighters."

"The raging fire sent up a column of flames and thick smoke as it spread quickly on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting that had been set up around the exterior of the housing complex in Tai Po district, in the New Territories. Records show the housing complex consisted of eight buildings with almost 2,000 apartments housing about 4,800 people. Multiple buildings close to each other were ablaze, with bright flames and smoke shooting out of many of the apartments' windows as night fell."

Fire swept across seven high-rise apartment buildings in Tai Po district, Hong Kong, killing 13 people and injuring at least 15. About 700 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters amid the blaze. The housing complex comprised eight buildings with nearly 2,000 apartments housing about 4,800 people. The fire spread rapidly along bamboo scaffolding and construction netting on the buildings' exteriors and moved into adjacent structures, likely aided by windy conditions. Hundreds of firefighters, police and paramedics were deployed, with ladder trucks directing water at intense flames while operations were hampered by high interior temperatures, falling debris and unstable scaffolding. The cause remained under investigation as rescue efforts continued.

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