By the morning of November 27, 55 casualties had been reported, 45 people were in critical condition, and 279 residents were declared missing.
This incident has become the most tragic fire in a residential building ever to occur in Hong Kong.
During the investigation, the police arrested three suspects accused of involuntary manslaughter.
The fire at the "Wang Fuk Court" complex was assigned a fifth level of danger, a designation that had not occurred in the past 17 years, according to Reuters. Of the eight buildings, seven were engulfed in flames. Initially, the fire spread to construction nets and bamboo scaffolding used for repairs, and then it spread to the interiors.
According to the police, the materials used for the exterior finishing, such as tarpaulin and plastic panels, did not meet fire safety standards. Additionally, in the only building that was not affected, flammable coverings made of foam insulation were found in the elevator lobbies. It is believed that this material contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Furthermore, rescuers faced difficulties reaching the fire sources due to fallen construction materials and a large amount of smoke. Each of the skyscrapers has 32 floors, and firefighters were only able to enter after the temperature was reduced with water.
As a result of the investigation, two directors of the construction company and a consulting engineer from the contracting firm responsible for the repair work were arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter.
