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Inferno Engulfs Towers; 13 Dead, Firefighter Among Victims
26 Nov
Summary
- A massive fire erupted in Hong Kong towers, killing 13 people.
- The highest fire alarm rating was activated for the first time in two decades.
- Bamboo scaffolding around the buildings contributed to the fire's rapid spread.
A catastrophic fire engulfed multiple high-rise towers in Hong Kong, claiming the lives of 13 individuals and leaving 15 injured. The blaze, which commenced in the afternoon, necessitated the activation of the city's most severe fire alarm, a 'No. 5 alarm,' for the first time in almost twenty years, underscoring the immense scale of the disaster.
The extensive rescue operation was significantly hampered by falling debris and scaffolding, coupled with intense heat within the structures. Firefighters struggled to reach upper floors of the 32-story buildings. The flammable nature of the bamboo scaffolding, commonly used in Hong Kong for construction and repairs, is suspected to have played a crucial role in the fire's rapid and destructive progression.
In response to the tragedy, Hong Kong's chief executive initiated the Emergency Accident Monitoring and Support Center. Temporary shelters were established for displaced residents. This event echoes a similar fire in October where scaffolding also contributed to a rapid fire spread, prompting the government to announce plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding in favor of steel.
