Tai Po Fire: 128 dead, 79 injured

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The death toll from the five-alarm blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has risen to 128, with 79 injured.

Authorities say they do not rule out the possibility of discovering additional bodies after investigators enter the site for on-scene evidence collection.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang says firefighting work on site is largely complete. Full probes will likely take three to four weeks.

Authorities have so far received 467 reports of missing persons — with the conditions of around 200 individuals still unconfirmed.

Preliminary laboratory tests indicate that while the scaffold netting met fire-retardant requirements, but the Styrofoam boards used were highly flammable.

It is believed the fire first broke out on the lower levels of the scaffolding surrounding Wang Cheong House.

Tang adds that the rapid spread of the blaze was likely linked to the ignition of combustible Styrofoam panels, which fuelled the spread of the fire through the building.

The Fire Services Department says the building’s fire alarm system was unable to operate effectively, and the authorities will pursue enforcement measures.