Hong Kong inferno: Three construction execs arrested, deaths rise to 65, 300 missing

A massive fire broke out on Wednesday in the residential towers, Wang Fuk complex, in the Tai Po district of northern Hong Kong.

Initially it seemed to be a fire that later turned into inferno that took 65 lives, with 300 people still missing and dozens left in critical condition in the midst of the chaotic situation. Around 72 people injured in the complex fire. 

Some residents are still trapped in fire-devoured buildings. But in the rescue work, more than 900 residents have safely been evacuated to temporary shelters. 

According to authorities, the blaze was still burning on Thursday afternoon, more than 24 hours it started. 

After 18 hours of unrelenting efforts, the officials said that they have somehow controlled the fire at the last four towers, but the flames at three other towers have been doused. 

The fire experts classified the massive fire a level 5 blaze, the most serious level in Hong Kong.

As per authorities’ reports, three construction company executives have allegedly been arrested on the grounds of manslaughter. According to sources, these construction workers were found to be connected to flammable materials, including plastic sheet and mesh, that may have allowed fire to spread too quickly.

According to a fire safety expert, bamboo scaffolding could be the reason for the spread of fire to an unprecedented level. 

As a result, the Hong Kong government has announced the inspections of "all housing estates undergoing major renovations and repairs" to assess the "safety of scaffolding and building materials" according to statement issued by the city's Chief Executive John Lee. 

in addition to this, Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) also decided to launch a criminal investigation over renovation works at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex. 

Prof Jiang also suggested the blocks at Wang Fuk Court were "relatively old" - they were built in the 1980s - so "the glass windows are not that fire resilient".

"The modern buildings have double pane glass windows, but for this one they perhaps used just a single pane... [which makes it] very easy to be broken by the flames and the flames can then penetrate through the facade," he told BBC News.

Hong Kong's deadliest inferno in more than 60 years

The recent fire incident which occurred in tightly packed complex with 2,000 apartments in eight blocks, is considered as one of the deadliest blazed in more than 60 years. 

The massive blaze surpassed the intensity of the August 1962 inferno in the Sham Shui Po neighbourhood, leading to 44 death toll along with hundreds of homeless people.