Devastating Hong Kong High-Rise Fire: 55 Dead, Hundreds Missing in Worst Inferno in Decades

A catastrophic fire has ravaged a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong, resulting in at least 55 fatalities with hundreds of residents still unaccounted for.

This disastrous inferno, described as the financial hub's most severe in decades, has sent shockwaves throughout the city known for having some of the world's most densely populated and tallest residential structures.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the fire and its potential causes:

The blaze erupted on bamboo scaffolding covering several apartment blocks of Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex undergoing renovations in Tai Po's northern district on Wednesday.

Flames rapidly spread across multiple towers within the housing estate, which comprises eight 31-floor buildings containing a total of 1,984 residential units.

Firefighters battled the conflagration overnight, with one firefighter losing their life in the process. The fire continued burning in certain areas into Thursday morning.

Hong Kong's fire department confirmed at least 55 casualties, with authorities reporting hundreds still missing.

Approximately 900 residents have been evacuated to temporary accommodations, while dozens have been hospitalized, some in critical condition.

Hong Kong stands among the world's most densely populated regions, making urban disasters particularly hazardous.

The city houses 7.5 million residents compressed into islands characterized by steep terrain.

With a population density exceeding 7,100 people per square kilometer, Hong Kong rivals densely packed metropolises like Tokyo.

The financial hub is renowned for its impressive skyline featuring skyscrapers against a scenic harbor backdrop, with many buildings serving both residential and commercial purposes.

The city's construction expansion has been primarily driven by residential towers to accommodate its growing population.

Much of the newer residential development in recent decades has occurred in the New Territories region, where Tai Po is situated.

According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Hong Kong boasts 569 buildings exceeding 150 meters in height, the highest number worldwide.

While the initial fire source remains unclear, investigators are examining the installation of flammable materials during construction as a potential factor in the blaze's dramatic escalation.

Authorities have arrested three individuals from the responsible construction company, alleging gross negligence that led to the accident and caused the fire to "spread rapidly beyond control."

The towering residential structures' external walls were covered with bamboo scaffolding wrapped in netting and plastic sheeting.

Police indicated that preliminary investigations suggest many of these materials failed to meet fire safety standards.

Investigators also discovered packaging foam at the site, which they described as highly flammable and potentially contributing to the fire's rapid progression.

Wind speeds of approximately 14 kilometers (nine miles) per hour were recorded in the vicinity when the fire ignited on Wednesday afternoon.