Several people were injured and a number of others reported being trapped in a massive fire which engulfed multiple blocks of a housing estate in Tai Po on Wednesday.

Police said residents of Wang Cheong House, Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House in Wang Fuk Court made emergency calls saying they were unable to escape to safety.

Video footage from the scene showed bamboo scaffolding ablaze on a number of blocks and the area engulfed by thick plumes of smoke.

Authorities said several people had been injured, including a firefighter, with three of them unconscious when taken to hospital.

Some of those hurt were said to have suffered serious burns.

The Fire Services Department said it was notified of the situation at around 2.50pm, deploying numerous fire engines and ambulances.

At 3.34pm, the incident was upgraded to a No 4 alarm fire.

"Residents nearby are advised to stay indoors, close their doors and windows, and stay calm. Members of the public are also advised to avoid going to the area affected by the fire," a statement said.

A woman who lives in the estate told RTHK she heard "a number of bangs".

"It sounded like firecrackers. When I came downstairs, officers told us to go somewhere else and stay at a distance," she said.

Another resident said she thought the noise she heard was from renovation work.

"At first, I thought it was workers pouring concrete. I normally have my windows closed so I thought there was nothing wrong," she said.

"But later on a friend called me while driving across Tolo Harbour and saw the blocks under renovation had caught fire. Then I figured something was wrong and went downstairs."

Some roads heading to the area were closed due to the fire, including a stretch of Tai Po Road.
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Last updated: 2025-11-26 HKT 17:15