A devastating fire in a high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong has claimed the lives of at least 94 individuals. Firefighters have been diligently working to prevent any resurgence of flames from the embers.

The exact number of people either trapped or missing in this tragic incident, considered the deadliest fire in the city’s recent history, remains unclear. According to the Associated Press, over 70 individuals sustained injuries, including 11 firefighters, while approximately 900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters overnight.

Deputy Director of Fire Services Operations, Derek Armstrong Chan, mentioned that the firefighting operation is nearing completion. Firefighters are focused on ensuring that debris and embers do not reignite.

The complex, situated in the Tai Po district and home to around 4,800 residents, was built in the 1980s and was undergoing renovations. Firefighters have been battling the blaze since Wednesday afternoon, November 26, believed to have started when bamboo scaffolding and construction netting caught fire and rapidly spread across seven of the eight buildings due to windy conditions.

The use of bamboo scaffolding is common in construction and renovation projects in Hong Kong. Authorities revealed that some materials on the building’s exterior did not meet fire resistance standards, facilitating the rapid spread of the flames.

Following the incident, three individuals, including directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Police indicated that the construction company overseeing the complex’s renovations may have been grossly negligent.

Police also discovered highly flammable plastic foam panels attached to windows near the elevator lobby in an unaffected tower, believed to have been installed by the construction company. The office of Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, responsible for the renovations, was searched by the police.

To enhance safety measures, authorities have announced immediate inspections of all housing estates undergoing significant renovation to ensure compliance with safety standards.