Catastrophic residential tower fires in Hong Kong

[WhatInThe]

A catastrophic residential tower fires in Hong Kong has killed at least 14. A set of towers where the fire spread to others

Hong Kong high rise fire kills 14 as blaze rips through multiple towers in Tai Po

Appears to be somekind of tarp over the towers which probably helped spread the fires. Also mentioned bamboo scaffolding was there.

 

[Muskrat]

This is a huge tragedy. Many missing…I hope I do not die by fire…

 

[hollydolly]

I've been watching it... all those cage homes within those high rise blocks... 900 people missing.... many already in hospital... a tragedy that's been waiting to happen for years

 

[hollydolly]

This is a huge tragedy. Many missing…I hope I do not die by fire…

god forbid that you would... but the likelihood is if it did happen, you'd more likely die within a few minutes of smoke inhalation rather than being burned by flames

Horrible death... my ex was a firefighter... so I know what goes on during these types of fires...

 

[RadishRose]

So very tragic!

 

[Lawrence00]

There are a lot of these tall apartments in Hong Kong and Asia. I could never live there.

Very sad for those caught in this fire

 

[RadishRose]

Police had arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with fire which began Wednesday afternoon in a housing complex in Tai Po district.

Police also said they found Styrofoam materials -- that are highly flammable -- outside the windows on each floor near the lift lobby of the one unaffected tower, believed to be installed by a construction company.

“We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent,” said Eileen Chung, a senior superintendent of police. The three men arrested, aged 52 to 68, are the directors and an engineering consultant of the firm.
3 arrested in Hong Kong, as a high-rise fire leaves at least 44 dead and 279 reported missing

 

[oscash]

Some of the construction companies have a lot to answer, for some of these buildings have inferior building materials which are used and the buildings either collapse or catch fire.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

The last news I saw reported that 44 died in the fire. What a terrible tragedy! May those lost R.I.P. and condolences to their families and friends.

 

[oldman]

I have been to Hong Kong. They really squeeze the buildings together. One goes, they all go. They have so many people that I was told that more than one family lives in some of the apartments. I was told that some apartments are generational, meaning that the apartment is handed down to the next generation as the owners die off.

 

[VaughanJB]

Apparently there was a huge scaffolding across the three blocks. Problem being - they us bamboo for their scaffolding there.

At the time I'm writing this, 83 lives lost, and 300 still missing.

 

[Murrmurr]

Some of the construction companies have a lot to answer, for some of these buildings have inferior building materials which are used and the buildings either collapse or catch fire.

Only low-level employees of the company will be prosecuted. All upper-level ones who are loyal to the CCP or well-connected will be left alone.

Ever since control of Hong Kong was given back to the CCP in '97, formerly metropolitan Hong Kong has gradually descended to Mainland China-levels of corruption, unfair laws, faded democracy, and severe social restrictions. That didn't have to happen.

They're reporting 65 deaths now, but you can bet the real number is way higher.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Last I heard, the death toll was at 94; still hundreds missing. Just so terrible.