In view of the No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po that had caused multiple casualties, the Chief Executive convened an interdepartmental urgent meeting yesterday afternoon. The Government’s Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre was then activated, with officers from relevant departments closely monitoring the situation, co-ordinating efforts to strive to alleviate the impact of the fire.

The Government said its top priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue trapped residents; the second is to treat the injured; the third is to provide post‑incident support, offer assistance to the families of the deceased, the injured and affected residents; and the fourth is to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Firefighting, police work

The Fire Services Department (FSD) received reports at 2.51pm yesterday that a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court. Its staff arrived speedily at 2.56pm and discovered that the scaffolds outside the building had caught fire, and that the blaze had spread to the interior and other buildings. Firefighting and rescue operations began immediately. The fire was upgraded several times and reached the No. 5 alarm at 6.22pm.

Eleven jets and eight turntable ladders have been deployed for water spraying, and 26 search and rescue teams are handling assistance calls at scene. During the operation, the FSD dispatched over 200 fire appliances and about 100 ambulances, and mobilised over 1,200 fire and ambulance personnel.

Separately, police officers set up a command post upon arrival and mobilised over 1,000 staff to co-ordinate residents’ evacuation, rescue operations and emergency support.

In addition to directing traffic at the scene and surrounding areas, Police also implemented road closures, traffic control measures and diversions to facilitate rescue operations.

Moreover, the force has set up a casualty enquiry hotline. If members of the public suspect that their relatives or friends have gone missing in relation to the fire, they can call 1878 999 for assistance.

During the operation, the Auxiliary Medical Service has deployed six ambulances and 33 staff to provide on-site treatment and transport the injured to hospitals.

Medical care

Upon the FSD’s notification about the blaze, the Hospital Authority immediately activated the Major Incident Control Centre to co-ordinate contingency measures, with the accident and emergency departments of nine public hospitals having been alerted to standby to receive casualties. Among them, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and North District Hospital mobilised their full resources for rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, North District Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital also sent staff to the incident site to help triage and provide initial treatment to patients.

The burn centres of Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital, as well as Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy centre, were prepared for the incident to receive patients anytime.

Evacuation needs

In response to the evacuation needs involving Kwong Fuk Estate, staff members of the Housing Department and the management company concerned have provided assistance to residents. The Housing Bureau and the Housing Department have also been maintaining close contact with the Home Affairs Department and the Social Welfare Department to provide full assistance to the affected residents, including arranging those at Wang Fuk Court and Kwong Fuk Estate in need to move to transitional housing, interim housing or transit centres.

The Tai Po District Office (TPDO) has opened multiple temporary shelters for residents in need. As at 9.30pm yesterday, about 900 people were using the shelters.

The TPDO has deployed all 19 District Services & Community Care Teams across the district to provide support, while the Sha Tin District Office (STDO) nearby and its care teams have provided cross-district support. Care teams in other districts will also be mobilised to provide appropriate support.

The TPDO, STDO and North District Office have set up interdepartmental help desks at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and North District Hospital to provide assistance and handle public enquiries.

Welfare, emotional support

Additionally, the TPDO will provide assistance to families of the deceased and injured in their applications for the Emergency Relief Fund or the Special Aid Fund, as well as liaise with various assistance funds operated by other charitable organisations.

The Social Welfare Department has deployed social work officers and supporting staff to the help desks and shelters to offer help to the residents. Besides, the Civil Aid Service mobilised over 100 people to assist with the operation of the temporary shelters.

Medical social workers will provide emotional support to the injured and their families.

Through liaison by the TPDO, the Hong Kong Red Cross deployed staff to the temporary shelters to provide emotional support and medical assistance.

The Health Bureau has also arranged for the “18111 - Mental Health Support Hotline” to step up its manpower to handle calls. Moreover, support information on coping with stress or negative emotions has also been posted to the “Shall We Talk” social media channels.

Building safety

Last month, the Buildings Department (BD) issued a circular letter to all registered building professionals and registered contractors, urging them to inspect and ascertain that the protective net and the like used in their construction projects are in compliance with the recognised standards in terms of fire-retardant capability.

Wang Fuk Court is a sold property under the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS). The works are carried out by Prestige Construction & Engineering, a registered contractor hired by the Incorporated Owners of the HOS court. The Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit (ICU) exercises building control over the works in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance.

The ICU will conduct an investigation into the fire. If violations of the Buildings Ordinance are found, the case will be referred to the BD for handling, including prosecution or disciplinary proceedings.

In response to the fire, the BD and the ICU will carry out special operations targeting ongoing construction projects. Registered building professionals and registered contractors will be required to review records or test certificates relating to the fire-retardant properties of the protective nets and the like used in scaffolds, and submit reports.

As at midnight, the Tai Po fire has resulted in 36 deaths and 36 injuries, including one fireman among the deceased.