Hong Kong, November 28 (HBTV): After at least 83 people died in a massive fire at a residential complex in Hong Kong, volunteers across the city have stepped forward to offer support and assistance, Xinhua reported. ‘In the time of difficulties, Hong Kong people stood by each other,’ a volunteer quoted by Xinhua said.
Firefighters have been working continuously to contain the blaze, which has been burning since Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district. More than 100 people have been injured, while 11 firefighters were hurt and one lost his life during the operation.
The Fire Services Department (FSD) said a man was rescued from the affected area around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday. Earlier, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee said that 55 people had been rescued from the buildings. He also announced that the HKSAR government would provide a cash grant of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars to each household affected by the fire.
Xinhua reported that the government has set up nine emergency shelters for displaced residents. In the longer term, authorities plan to mobilise public and private resources to create around 1,800 transitional housing units.
Donations of food, clothing and water poured into the shelters in such large quantities that one centre eventually halted intake due to oversupply. Volunteers also brought cages to help shelter rescued pets, while a veterinarian remained on standby. Social media users praised a firefighter who saved nine cats and a dog from one home.
Wang Fuk Court, an affordable housing complex completed in 1983, has around 4,000 residents in nearly 2,000 units. At the time of the fire, all eight buildings were covered in green mesh and scaffolding for a major renovation. According to Xinhua, the fire began in the scaffolding outside one building and spread rapidly to six others.
Hong Kong Police on Thursday arrested three men associated with the renovation project on suspicion of gross negligence and manslaughter. Officials said early findings suggested that polystyrene boards and other materials used during the renovation did not meet safety standards. CNN quoted Fire Services Director Andy Yeung as saying the materials were ‘extremely inflammable’ and that their installation on residential windows was ‘unusual’, prompting a police referral.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has also launched an investigation into alleged corruption linked to the renovation. The HKSAR government has ordered a city-wide inspection of scaffolding and construction materials used in renovation projects, Xinhua reported.
‘In the time of difficulties, Hong Kong people stood by each other,’ a volunteer surnamed Chan said while helping at the Tung Cheong Street Sports Centre on Thursday morning.
(ANI)