A severe fire broke out in the Hong Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. Some residents reported spotting workers smoking on the scaffolding and said they could smell smoke inside their own homes. Other residents said they did not hear the fire alarm go off.
According to comprehensive reports from Hong Kong media "Sing Tao Headline" and "Ming Pao", residents of the affected Hong Fuk Court had previously reported online that they saw workers smoking on the scaffolding. Mr. Deng, a resident, confirmed in a radio program on the 27th that he too had seen workers smoking. Some residents had already taken photos and videos, which were circulated in chat groups. He lives on an upper floor, saying, "I could smell the smoke at home."
Another resident, Ms. Chan (aged 72), said that at first, the fire had not yet spread to her building. She was home alone, but did not smell smoke, nor did she hear the fire alarm. At around 3 p.m. on the 26th, it was her daughter, who was traveling abroad, who called to notify her that a fire had broken out at Hong Fuk Court. Upon her daughter's reminder, she quickly left the home.
Ms. Chan, who lives on the third floor, said she was still able to take the elevator when she went out. The neighbors were not panicking; everyone assumed the fire would not reach their building. She recalled hearing objects falling to the ground. As for Ms. Chan's other family members, they are currently not in Hong Kong.