Three arrested as Hong Kong complex blaze death toll climbs to 55

Nov. 27 (UPI) — Authorities in Hong Kong on Thursday announced the arrest of three people as the death toll from a fatal fire that engulfed a high-rise building complex continued to climb.

Firefighters on Thursday afternoon were still battling the five-alarm blaze at the public housing complex in Hong Kong’s northeastern Tai Po District.

The fire was reported to police at about 2:50 p.m. local time Wednesday. Initial reports indicate the fire began on scaffolding outside one of the buildings in the complex, which was undergoing renovation. The blaze quickly spread to other blocks in the complex, resulting in dozens of deaths.

The suspects arrested — men between the ages of 52 and 68 — were executives of the construction engineering company behind the renovation work at one of the buildings, according to Hong Kong Police, which said in a statement that they were being held on suspicion of manslaughter.

Authorities said they believe that the suspects were grossly negligent in using materials that did not meet fire safety standards during external wall maintenance work on the building.

“Upon initial investigation, it was suspected that the protective nets, tarpaulins and plastic sheets used for the maintenance works may not have been up to fire safety standards. It was also revealed that foam boards were found installed to the windows of the buildings concerned,” it said.

The death toll has climbed to 55, officials said during a Thursday press conference, with 123 people injured. It was earlier reported that at least 279 people were unaccounted for.

Among the dead was Ho Wai-ho, 37, a firefighter who died from injuries sustained fighting the blaze. Authorities said he was found collapsed at the scene of the fire and was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital where he died at 4:41 p.m. Wednesday.

“Mr. Ho’s performance was valiant,” Fire Services Director Andy Yeung said in a statement.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday announced that the government will provide temporary accommodation to the displaced and arrange for social workers to offer support. He also said he had ordered inspections of all Hong Kong housing estates undergoing renovations.

“As we endure this collective grief, it is all the more important that we face it with strength and stand together through these hard times,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

The U.S. Consulate to Hong Kong has offered its condolences to those affected by the fire, and President of Taiwan Lai Ching-te called for prayers.

“I extend my deepest condolences to all Hong Kong friends who have passed away in this disaster and to their families, sincere sympathies to the injured and hope that the missing can be safely found as soon as possible,” Lai said.