3 construction company executives arrested after Hong Kong apartment fires kills at least 44

Hong Kong police have arrested three construction company executives in connection with the devastating Nov. 26 fire that saw eight housing blocks catch fire and burn for nearly 18 hours.

The fire has been confirmed to have claimed the lives of at least 44 people, including one firefighter, with 45 people hospitalised in critical condition.

279 people are still missing.

Three arrests

The BBC reports that three construction company executives, two directors and an engineering consultant, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

A Hong Kong police spokesperson was quoted as saying that the police had reasons to suspect that those in the company were “grossly negligent”.

The actions of the three men are believed to have led to the accident that caused the fire, and allowed it to “spread uncontrollably”, resulting in major casualties.

It is suspected that polystyrene, which is highly flammable, had been used around the buildings’ windows, leading to the fire’s unusually quick spread.

In addition, Hong Kong Authorities have discovered that the protective material and mesh covering the outside of the buildings, installed since renovations started in mid-July 2024, do not appear to be fireproof.

Blazed through the night

Around 3pm on Nov. 26, Hong Kong’s emergency services were alerted to a fire in a housing complex in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, in the New Territories.

The housing complex, called Wang Fuk Court, consisted of eight 31-storey tall tower blocks, with 1,984 apartments and housed about 4,600 residents.

The 42-year-old buildings were undergoing renovations, and as is common in Hong Kong, the buildings were clad in bamboo scaffolding and green netting.

A fire that had broken out in one of the blocks spread quickly to the other nearby buildings, eventually resulting in a devastating blaze that claimed all eight blocks.

The BBC reports that the fire spread quickly through the bamboo, and a preliminary investigation had called the speed of the fire’s spread “unusual”.

The fire blazed through the night, and even after dawn, several firefighting cranes could be seen pouring water onto the smouldering remains of the towers, with a few units still on fire.

However, as of 1:20am, the fire was considered “gradually under control”.

Dedicated and gallant fireman

More than 800 firefighters and paramedics, as well as 140 fire engines, have been on the scene fighting the fire, which has burned for over 18 hours.

A 37-year-old firefighter, Ho Wai Ho, collapsed at the scene of the fire and was taken to the hospital, where he subsequently died.

Hong Kong’s director of fire services described Ho’s performance as “valiant”, and that he mourned the loss of “this dedicated and gallant fireman.”

Condolences

China’s president Xi Jinping has sent his condolences, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Xi called for an “all-out effort” to extinguish the fire and minimise casualties and loss from the blaze.

Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee has thanked Xi for his concern, support, and offer of assistance.

He also thanked Liaison Offices for Hong Kong and for Macau for their support, as he said that several neighbouring cities have also reached out to offer help.

Top image via Reuters