HONG KONG RESIDENTIAL AREA FIRE GRADUALLY BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL: HKSAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

HONG KONG, Nov 27 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee said early Thursday that the fire at Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex in Tai Po, had been gradually brought under control following tireless efforts by firefighters, reported Xinhua.

Lee said that from the outside, three buildings now showed no visible flames, while four others displayed only sporadic fire spots.

Meanwhile, three men were arrested for suspected manslaughter in the fire, the Hong Kong Police Force said at a press briefing on Thursday. The fire had left 44 dead and 45 injured by early Thursday morning.

Lee stressed that the HKSAR government will mobilise all resources to fully support the rescue operations. He has instructed departments and units to carry out comprehensive work, including extinguishing the fire, rescuing trapped residents, treating the injured, providing assistance and emotional support to families, and conducting a full investigation into the accident.

The Fire Services Department of the HKSAR government was notified of the accident at around 2:51 pm local time on Wednesday. Due to the fierce blaze, the department raised the alert to No. 5 alarm fire at 6:22 pm local time. Rescue operations were still ongoing.

Wang Fuk Court consists of eight residential buildings, and the fire once spread from one building to seven others.

The Hong Kong Hospital Authority has activated its Major Incident Control Centre. 

--BERNAMA-XINHUA