HONG KONG — A devastating fire swept through a residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district on Wednesday, resulting in at least four fatalities and leaving several individuals trapped inside. The blaze erupted at Wang Fuk Court, a high-rise housing complex that houses nearly 2,000 apartments. Emergency services received reports of the fire at 2:51 p.m. and quickly upgraded the situation to a No. 4 alarm, the second highest level of severity, at 3:34 p.m. Firefighters battled thick black smoke and flames that engulfed the 31-story towers, which were partially covered in bamboo scaffolding due to ongoing renovations. As the fire raged, two individuals were reported in critical condition with severe burns. Additionally, several firefighters sustained injuries while attempting to control the flames. The Fire Services Department has not confirmed how many people may still be trapped inside the buildings. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with many gathering on a nearby overhead walkway to watch the emergency response unfold. Scores of fire engines and ambulances were stationed below the complex as firefighters worked to extinguish the fire. Tai Po, located in the New Territories near the border with mainland China, is a suburban area with a population of approximately 300,000. Wang Fuk Court has been part of the government’s subsidized home ownership scheme since its completion in 1983. The fire has also disrupted traffic in the area, leading to the closure of a section of Tai Po Road, one of Hong Kong's main highways, with bus services being diverted. This incident follows a similar tragedy in April of the previous year, when five people died in a fire in a densely populated residential building in Kowloon. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the situation as emergency crews remain on the scene.