Over 750 firefighters have been deployed to tackle Wednesday’s deadly fire at a Tai Po housing estate, which has left at least 13 dead and 30 injured.

Bamboo scaffolding, erected as part of large-scale renovation works, caused the blaze to rapidly spread to seven of Wang Fuk Court‘s eight towers.

As of 11 pm, a total of 30 people were injured, local media reported, including seven people who remain in a critical condition. Among the causalities was a firefighter.

Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of operations at the Fire Services Department, told reporters on the scene on Wednesday night that authorities received a report about a fire at Wang Cheong House just before 3 pm.

Firefighters arrived in around five minutes and observed that the scaffolding had caught fire, with the blaze spreading to other floors and to neighbouring blocks.

By around 6 pm, the fire was upgraded to a no. 5 alarm fire, the highest level.

Chan said the Fire Services Department deployed 767 firefighters, 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances.

Firefighting efforts were stymied by the high temperatures inside the buildings, making it difficult to enter. Steel ladder trucks have been dispatched to spray water on the structures, Chan said.

Poor visibility, as the night set in, also hampered rescue work, he added.

Asked if there was danger that the fire could spread to the one remaining block in the estate that had not caught ablaze, Chan said firefighters were stationed inside, including some on the roof to spray water at the the other blocks engulfed by fire.

Kelvin Kong, district commander of Tai Po at the police’s New Territories North Regional Headquarters, said in the same stand-up that police had deployed around 400 officers to help evacuate Wang Fuk Court, as well as the nearby Kwong Yau House and Kwong Lai House in Kwong Fuk Estate.

‘I’m really upset’

As darkness fell, the fire continued to rip through the buildings as the smell of smoke lingered in the air.

Police cordoned off parts of the housing estate. Dozens of residents were watching and taking photos in nearby parks and on the streets, HKFP reporters observed.

Cheung, a resident who had lived at Wang Fuk Court for more than 40 years, told HKFP that she was not home when the fire broke out. A lot of residents of the housing estate, herself included, spent less time at home during daytime due to the construction work that had been taking place since last year, she said.

Some senior residents may still spend most of their time at home owing to mobility issues, Cheung, a retired teacher, said. She said she was more concerned about the wellbeing of the estate’s residents than the damage done to her home by the fire.

“I didn’t know the fire could spread like that. I’m really upset, since I’m so attached to this place and this neighbourhood,” she said.

At Tai Po MTR station, volunteers dropped off supplies to support those who had been affected by the fire.

Ms Chan, a resident from Sha Tin, was among a group of volunteers who gathered supplies such as blankets and thick coats to bring to Tai Po for people affected by the deadly fire.

Chan told HKFP that they made calls on Facebook and managed to gather 10 bags of supplies. They will send them to the nearby Kwong Fuk Estate podium for district councillors to help distribute to those in need.

Xi Jinping sends condolences

Around 700 residents who were evacuated are staying in shelters set up by the Home Affairs Department, Eunice Chan, the department’s Tai Po district officer said in the press briefing.

The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong said on Wednesday night it was offering 900 spaces at its Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village campsite to residents affected by the fire.

Police have set up an enquiry hotline for those who have lost contact with their family members or friends residing in Wang Fuk Court.

A Google spreadsheet also circulated on Wednesday night in which residents could report their safety status.

According to Chinese state media outlet CCTV, Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed condolences to victims’ families and a firefighter who perished during the rescue efforts.

“He offered sympathies to the families of the victims and those affected by the disaster, and called for making every effort to extinguish the fire and minimise casualties and losses,” CCTV said, according to AFP.

Meanwhile, the Transport Department said on Wednesday night that a number of road sections remained closed, and that around 40 bus routes had been affected and diverted.

An Education Bureau (EDB) spokesperson said at least six schools in Tai Po would have classes suspended due to the fire and road closures in the district. It added that other schools which were not named can also suspended classes according to “actual circumstances.”

“The EDB urges schools and school personnel in the district to pay attention to students’ emotions and provide necessary support for students in need,” they said.

The government also halted forums on Thursday and Friday for the “patriots only” Legislative Council.

Elsewhere, the Fire Services Department’s website was switched to black and white following the death of 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho.

“I pay solemn tribute to Mr Ho for his gallantry and selfless devotion to duty, and express the deepest condolences to his family on behalf of the Civil Service, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said.

“The Civil Service Bureau has contacted the Fire Services Department and will make every effort to help the family of Mr Ho during this sad and difficult period.”

Last month, four people were hospitalised and dozens evacuated after a fire broke out on the bamboo scaffolding of a building in Central.

Wednesday’s fire marks the first time in 17 years since a No. 5 alarm has been raised – the last involved a blaze at Cornwall Court in Mong Kok which left four dead.