Deadly Hong Kong Tower Fire Claims 55 Lives: Residents Share Harrowing Experiences of Bamboo Scaffolding Inferno

A devastating fire engulfs bamboo scaffolding on a building at Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong

Residents gathered anxiously at a temporary shelter on Thursday, desperately awaiting news of their loved ones as one of Hong Kong's most catastrophic fires in recent decades ravaged a massive high-rise complex containing approximately 2,000 units.

The inferno, which continued smoldering into early Thursday, has claimed at least 55 lives, with authorities reporting hundreds of residents still unaccounted for in the aftermath.

The blaze erupted Wednesday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the financial hub known for having some of the world's most densely populated and tallest residential buildings.

The sounds of burning and exploding bamboo scaffolding echoed throughout the area as thick plumes of smoke billowed upward from the affected buildings.

Local resident Veezy Chan, 25, described the terrifying scene on Wednesday: "I truly think it's very scary. I am watching it spread from just one building to three, then four. It's really terrifying."

The shelter, which opened Wednesday evening, saw a continuous stream of residents arriving to report family members with whom they had lost contact.

Many sat in a daze, staring at their cell phone screens with reddened eyes, desperately hoping for any news about their missing loved ones.

Social workers distributed blankets and pillows to elderly evacuees to help them withstand the nighttime cold.

Shirley Chan, another local resident, expressed her profound sadness at the tragedy: "Imagine a home -- gone, burnt. Anyone would be heartbroken. I can relate to that; it's truly heartbreaking. A home, gone in flames. I can't even put it into words."

A 65-year-old resident surnamed Yuen explained that many elderly people using wheelchairs and walkers lived in the neighborhood. He and his wife now found themselves homeless due to the fire.

Yuen mentioned that since the apartment complex was undergoing maintenance, many residents had kept their windows closed, preventing them from hearing the fire alarm.

"There is loss of property and loss of life, and even a firefighter has died," Yuen lamented.

In response to the disaster, many citizens spontaneously donated supplies and delivered them to shelters established for those displaced by the fire.

Logan Yeung, a 29-year-old volunteer, committed to remaining on-site to provide support until rescue operations concluded.

"My heart is tingling," he told AFP, adding his belief that construction issues were the cause of the incident.

Deadly fires were once a common occurrence in Hong Kong's densely populated areas, particularly in poorer neighborhoods. However, enhanced safety measures implemented over recent decades had made such incidents much less frequent.

Nevertheless, nearby residents expressed shock that the flames, aided by the wind, spread to multiple buildings and continued burning throughout the night.

Chan described how she "watched the fire burn and couldn't do anything," adding, "We also didn't know what everyone could do."

Hong Kong's city leader John Lee announced on Thursday that a task force would be established to investigate the fire, with results to be submitted to the coroner.

Chan emphasized that the government "needs to provide an explanation to the public" regarding this tragic incident.