A massive fire ripped through several high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Wednesday. The incident killed at least 14 people and left dozens injured, according to Reuters. Authorities struggled for hours to bring the situation under control.

Flames Rise as Firefighters Battle Through the Night

Firefighters fought the blaze late into the night. Thick black smoke poured out of the 32-storey buildings, which were covered in bamboo scaffolding and green construction mesh. The government began phasing out bamboo scaffolding in March due to safety issues. Officials said the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Reaching the upper floors was extremely difficult because of the intense heat. As darkness fell, controlling the flames became even more challenging.

Housing Complex Severely Impacted

The fire started at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate. The complex includes eight residential blocks and nearly 2,000 units. The Fire Services Department has not yet confirmed how many residents remain trapped inside.

Sky News reported that about 700 residents were moved to temporary shelters. However, officials warned that several people were still stuck inside the burning buildings.

Casualties Include a Firefighter

Among the 14 dead was one firefighter, according to Sky News. Three people suffered critical burn injuries. Several residents and firefighters were also hurt while attempting to escape or contain the fire.

Flames Spread Across Multiple Buildings

Videos from the scene showed flames engulfing at least five buildings that stand very close to each other. Fire officials said they still do not know how many people could be inside the damaged blocks.

Sky News said the fire broke out at 2:51 pm local time. It spread quickly along the bamboo scaffolding that wrapped around the exterior of the 31-storey towers. Renovation work was reportedly underway at the time.

Smoke and Flames Visible Into the Night

Fire crews used ladders to spray water directly at the intense flames. Thick grey smoke continued to rise from the buildings, and fire and smoke kept bursting from windows as night approached.

About the Wang Fuk Court Estate

Wang Fuk Court, built under the government’s subsidised home ownership scheme, contains eight blocks and around 2,000 apartments. The estate has been occupied since 1983, according to its website.

Bamboo Scaffolding and Safety Concerns

Tai Po lies in northern Hong Kong near the border with Shenzhen. Bamboo scaffolding is widely used in Hong Kong for construction and renovation. However, the government announced earlier this year that it would gradually replace bamboo scaffolding in public projects due to safety risks.