A massive blaze erupted on Wednesday, 26 November, in several residential towers of a Tai Po apartment complex, killing at least four people—including a firefighter—while trapping and injuring dozens more.
Fire breaks out in Tai Po residential complex
On Wednesday 26 November, a blaze broke out in multiple high‑rise blocks within the Tai Po district’s apartment complex. At least four people died, one of them a firefighter, and several others were trapped inside the buildings.
Smoke spewed dense grey plumes, and the fire spread to bamboo scaffoldings surrounding the towers. The complex contains eight blocks with 2,000 apartments and houses about 4,000 residents, each tower having 31 floors.
Firefighters’ response and casualties
Firefighters arrived on the scene after reports were received at 14:51 local time (07:51 Polish time). Emergency crews noted at least three injuries, two in critical condition and one in a stable state.
Numerous fire trucks and ambulances lined the streets along the whole complex, and a crowd of onlookers gathered on a nearby pedestrian crossing, watching the eruption with concern.
Impact on transport and road closures
The Hong Kong Department of Transport closed the entire Tai Po stretch of the Tai Po motorway, one of the city’s two main highways, and buses were rerouted to alternative routes.
Government relief measures
The Hong Kong government opened temporary shelters at Kwong Fuk Community Hall and the Tung Cheong Street recreation centre. A help and consultation point was set up at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital.
The Tai Po district office stated that it would monitor the situation closely and open additional shelters if necessary.
