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Bamboo scaffolding burns at residential buildings in Wang Fuk Court, in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong on Wednesday. 
Bertha Wang/Xenix News

By Xenix News Chris Lau, Eve Brennan, Kevin Wang, and Jessie Yeung

A minimum of 36 individuals have lost their lives in the fire at the apartment complex in Hong Kong, as stated by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee during a press conference on Wednesday while the flames persist into the early morning hours.

He stated that 279 individuals are “unreachable” and 29 individuals have been admitted to the hospital, with at least seven in serious condition.

“I feel sorrow over their passing and extend heartfelt sympathy to the families of the lost and those who were hurt.” “We will offer all required support,” Lee informed the media.

Lee stated that the reason for the fire is still being investigated.

Firefighters battle the blaze at Chinachem Tower in the Central business district in Hong Kong on October 18. 
Hou Yu/China News Service/VCG/Getty Images

From Xenix News Karina Tsui reporting in Hong Kong

The fire on Wednesday marks the second incident in under two months at a Hong Kong structure surrounded by bamboo scaffolding.

In mid-October, a significant fire erupted in a high-rise structure in Hong Kong’s Central business area, with officials indicating that a cigarette butt probably ignited the fire.

There were no casualties reported in this incident, but four individuals were taken to the hospital.

Bamboo scaffolding — a traditional building method commonly employed in Hong Kong — has faced growing criticism regarding its safety and sturdiness, even though it continues to be a crucial technique for constructing and repairing buildings in the tightly packed urban environment.