Hong Kong Fire: At least four killed as major fire engulfs apartment blocks
By NewsGrover Staff
Location: Jordan, Hong Kong
Date: November 26, 2024
Tragedy struck the densely populated district of Jordan in Kowloon this morning as a catastrophic fire tore through a mixed-use residential and commercial building, leaving at least four people dead and injuring dozens more. The blaze, which erupted during the morning rush hour, turned a bustling street corner into a scene of panic and devastation, raising serious questions about fire safety standards in Hong Kong’s aging infrastructure.
Thick, acrid smoke was seen billowing from the lower floors of the New Lucky House on Nathan Road, rapidly consuming the stairwells and trapping residents on the upper floors of the 16-story building. As sirens wailed across the harbor, hundreds of firefighters battled the blaze while distressed residents waved towels from open windows, crying out for rescue.
A Morning of Chaos
The fire alarm was raised shortly before 8:00 AM local time. According to preliminary reports from the Fire Services Department, the blaze is believed to have started in a fitness center located on the first floor of the building. Within minutes, the fire had intensified, sending plumes of dense smoke up the building’s central light well and staircases, effectively cutting off escape routes for residents living above.
“I heard a loud bang, and then the smoke started coming in under my door,” said Mr. Chan, a resident on the 10th floor who was eventually rescued by fire crews. “I tried to open the door to the hallway, but it was pitch black. The heat was unbearable. I grabbed a wet towel and ran to the window. I thought I wasn’t going to make it.”
Witnesses on the street described a chaotic scene. Passersby halted in shock as glass windows shattered from the heat, raining debris onto the sidewalk below. Some residents, desperate to escape the suffocating fumes, were seen climbing onto scaffolding and air conditioning units on the exterior of the building.
The Rescue Operation
The Hong Kong Fire Services Department deployed a massive response, dispatching 35 fire engines and 24 ambulances to the scene. More than 160 firefighters and paramedics were mobilized.
Commanders at the scene described the rescue as “extremely difficult” due to the layout of the building and the sheer number of people trapped. Firefighters used extendable ladders to rescue those stranded on lower floors, while breathing apparatus teams fought their way up the smoke-filled stairwells to reach those on higher levels.
“The smoke logged the staircases very quickly, creating a chimney effect,” said a divisional fire officer during a press briefing. “Visibility was near zero. Our teams found several victims collapsed in the corridors, having succumbed to smoke inhalation while trying to flee.”
By noon, the fire was largely brought under control, but the toll was grim. Authorities confirmed that at least four individuals had lost their lives. Two were found on the second floor, while others were discovered in the stairwell between the 7th and 8th floors. Over 40 people were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Kwong Wah Hospital, with several listed in critical condition.
The Building: A Relic of Old Hong Kong
The New Lucky House, built in 1964, is typical of many older buildings in the Yau Tsim Mong district. It is a composite building, meaning it houses a mix of commercial businesses on the lower floors—including gyms, massage parlors, and guesthouses—and residential units on the upper floors.
These buildings are often subdivided into “劏房” (subdivided flats), where a single apartment is partitioned into multiple smaller units to accommodate low-income residents. While providing affordable housing in one of the world’s most expensive cities, these subdivisions often complicate fire safety. Partitions can block sprinkler systems, clutter escape routes, and increase the population density of a floor well beyond its original design capacity.
Initial investigations suggest that the New Lucky House had outstanding fire safety orders that had not been complied with. The building’s age means it was not built to modern fire safety codes, specifically regarding the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in common areas.
Government Response and Public Outcry
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. He visited the injured at Queen Elizabeth Hospital later in the afternoon and promised a full and thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and the injuries caused by this fire,” Lee told reporters. “We will spare no effort in investigating the cause, including whether there was any negligence or violation of fire safety ordinances. The safety of our citizens is our top priority.”
The Secretary for Security has announced that a special task force will be set up to inspect similar aged composite buildings across the Kowloon peninsula to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster.
However, for many in Hong Kong, this response feels overdue. The tragedy has reignited a fierce debate about the government’s ability to enforce safety regulations in the city’s thousands of aging private buildings.
“We have seen this happen before,” said intense scrutiny from safety advocates. “After the tragic Fa Yuen Street fire years ago, promises were made. Yet, we still have thousands of buildings with fire safety orders that are ignored for years. How many more people have to die before strict enforcement becomes the norm?”
The Human Cost
As night fell over Jordan, the area around New Lucky House remained cordoned off. The smell of burning plastic and wood still hung heavy in the humid air. Displaced residents gathered at a temporary shelter set up at the Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre, waiting for news of when they might be allowed back to retrieve their belongings.
Among the survivors, the mood was a mix of relief and mourning. Many of the residents are elderly or from minority communities, some of whom have lost everything they own.
NewsGrover spoke with Maria, a domestic worker who was visiting a friend in the building on her day off. “It happened so fast,” she said, shaking. “One minute we were laughing, the next we were coughing and crying. The firemen are heroes. They carried my friend down the stairs. I just pray for the families of those who didn’t make it.”
Looking Ahead
The coming days will be crucial for investigators. The police and fire department will be combing through the charred remains of the first-floor gymnasium to determine the precise ignition point. They will also be looking into why the fire spread so rapidly and whether fire doors—crucial for stopping the spread of smoke—were wedged open or modified.
For the residents of Jordan, and Hong Kong at large, the New Lucky House fire is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking within the city’s concrete jungle. While the skyline is defined by gleaming modern skyscrapers, the older districts tell a different story—one of aging infrastructure struggling to cope with modern demands.
As flowers begin to pile up near the police cordon on Nathan Road, the city mourns the four lives lost. The tragedy at New Lucky House will likely serve as a catalyst for renewed regulatory crackdowns, but for the victims and their families, the cost of inaction has already been paid.
NewsGrover.com will continue to update this story as more information regarding the investigation and the condition of the survivors becomes available.
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