Mr Wong cries out in anguish as fire engulfs the Tai Po housing complex in Hong Kong that he calls home. Moments earlier, he exchanged final words over the phone with his wife, who was among the 168 victims trapped inside.
A massive fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po claimed 168 lives, becoming Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948. While no official cause has been reported, investigations by Hong Kong authorities found that strong winds combined with dense bamboo scaffolding, construction netting, and flammable Styrofoam boards used for window insulation acted as deadly accelerants, trapping residents inside, blocking emergency exit routes, and hindering the initial response. The fire, which broke out during ongoing renovation work, highlighted long-standing concerns regarding fire safety regulations in aging high-rise residential blocks.
The photographer encountered Mr Wong on a nearby footbridge about an hour after the fire began. Mr Wong was watching his home being engulfed in flames, anxiously questioning why the water cannons had not arrived and expressing long-held fears about the renovation materials. Following the fire, the photographer returned to the site over three days, eventually connecting with Mr Wong’s son to document the family’s full story.
More than 2,000 firefighters from across the territory were involved in the massive rescue efforts, which were complicated by the height of the housing complex and the intense heat. The operation resulted in the death of one firefighter and injuries to 12 others. In the wake of the disaster, the Hong Kong Fire Services Department is reviewing its safety protocols for high-rise buildings undergoing external renovations.
At no time is the need for accurate information more essential, while at the same time, more difficult to produce. That’s why we all need to support a free press. Make a donation to World Press Photo today to strengthen photojournalism.
