A tragic fire broke out in a residential building in the Pak Fuk Estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong on the afternoon of November 26th, resulting in heavy casualties. Celebrities like Shu Qi and others expressed their condolences from afar.
This fire in Tai Po district is the second level 5 blaze to occur in Hong Kong in 17 years, with the last one dating back to the 1996 Garley Building fire which claimed the lives of 41 people. The fire at Pak Fuk Estate has already led to the loss of 44 lives, drawing immense attention from various sectors of society.
Shu Qi, who is currently overseas attending a film event for her award-winning directorial debut “Girl”, took to Instagram in the early hours of November 27th to share contact information for shelters and rescue centers, hoping to use her platform to disseminate crucial information to those affected by the disaster, and praying for “the fire to be extinguished swiftly and for everyone to be safe and sound.”
Celebrities such as Charmaine Sheh, Gigi Leung, William Chan, Joey Yung, Gillian Chung (Ah Jie), Charlene Choi, Nicholas Tse, Julian Cheung, and Kara Wai have also posted on social media, sharing rescue information and offering prayers and condolences.
The blaze at the Pak Fuk Estate broke out at 2:51 pm on November 26th, starting on the exterior wall scaffolding of the Hong Cheong House. The fire quickly escalated, reaching level 5 by 6:22 pm. The flames spread upwards along the exterior wall scaffolding, affecting seven buildings including the Hung Tai House and Hung Sun House, with flames roaring and thick smoke billowing into the sky.
According to reports from the “Daily Economic News”, around 3 am local time on November 27th, the fire was still intense on some floors, preventing firefighters from reaching units where assistance was requested.
As of around 6 am on November 27th, information released by the Hong Kong authorities indicated that the fire has resulted in 44 fatalities, 56 injuries, at least 279 individuals missing, and the loss of firefighters’ lives, with firefighting efforts still ongoing.