Hong Kong High-Rise Fire That Killed 44 Burns For Second Day
HuffPost
At least 62 people were injured, many suffering from burns and inhalation injuries.
HONG KONG (AP) — Firefighters battled one of Hong Kong’s deadliest modern blazes for a second day Thursday, fighting to control the fire that blackened several high-rise towers and killed at least 44 people. Three men from a construction company were arrested, and rescues were continuing.
Thick smoke still poured out of the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district, a northern suburb near the border with the mainland, around midday Thursday. The fire that started midafternoon Wednesday had spread across seven of the complex’s eight buildings, and four of the towers were under control by morning, the city’s fire services said.
One firefighter was among the 44 people confirmed dead, officials said. At least 62 people were injured, many suffering from burn and inhalation injuries.
Three men, the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Police have not directly named the company where they work.
“We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent,” said Eileen Chung, a senior superintendent of police.
