The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, together with all sectors of society, has been stepping up efforts to both rescue those affected and minimize the tragic losses after a major fire tore through a residential area in the city.

Firefighters had rescued 55 people from the fire that broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Wednesday afternoon, John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, said at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.

Lee said the fires in all seven affected buildings have been brought under control.

The death toll has risen to 94, according to the Fire Services Department (FSD).

The FSD said 72 people injured in the fire had been sent to hospitals for treatment, including eight firefighters. Over 200 people are still missing.

The FSD has dispatched a total of 304 fire engines and rescue vehicles, and used drones to monitor heat levels to prevent rekindling.

The residential area Wang Fuk Court consists of eight buildings, all of which were encased by green mesh and scaffolding due to a major renovation project at the time of the fire. Three men responsible for the renovations were arrested earlier for suspected manslaughter, as the police investigation pointed to flammable materials covering the buildings as a possible cause for the rapid spread of fire.

Read more:

President Xi extends condolences over Hong Kong fire, urges all-out rescue efforts

Rescue races onward

Following the outbreak of the fire, Lee chaired an interdepartmental emergency meeting and immediately activated an emergency monitoring and support center. He instructed the relevant departments to make every effort in firefighting, rescue, and medical treatment.

Rescue operations have already been on the move. Police officers have mobilized over 1,000 personnel for the evacuation and rescue operations, as well as emergency support. The city's hospital authorities have coordinated contingency measures with nine public hospitals on standby to receive the casualties.

To help people in need, the government has opened several temporary shelters.

In Tung Cheong Street Sports Center, a temporary shelter, mattresses of different colors were laid out neatly on the floor, while the original activity space has been converted into a shelter for hundreds of residents. Personnel from the civil aid service and the care teams were seen weaving through the area, quietly asking the affected people about their needs, offering hot water to the elderly and distributing food.

Donations flooding in

The city has swiftly mobilized support for the affected residents. In multiple communities, residents spontaneously donated emergency supplies such as bottled water, biscuits, bread, and clothing to help address the immediate needs of those impacted by the fire.

As of Thursday afternoon, donations from various sectors had soared past HK$100 million (about $12.86 million), according to CMG.

Locals and visitors from the Chinese mainland and overseas swarmed blood donation centers across Hong Kong. A center in Causeway Bay said it had been booked out for the next three days by avid donors answering a citywide call to help the people injured in the fire. Information about where and how to donate blood quickly circulated on social media platforms.

'Pulling together'

All sectors across the city have been keeping a close eye on the incident, offering assistance to those affected.

"Mattresses and supplies still keep coming in. As soon as they arrive, we will immediately open another new area for relocation," Lam Yick Kuen, a Tai Po care team member, told Xinhua.

Lam was working late into the night at the community hall on Wednesday, busy arranging accommodations for batches of affected residents. He said he was a latecomer to the relocation center.

"The first batch of care team members started at around 5 or 6 p.m. Wednesday. I was already late when I arrived at 6 or 7 p.m.," Lam said.

Jacky Chu, president of the Lions Club of Hong Kong Alba, was touched by the scale of the public contributions. "I never imagined so many supplies would be donated," he said.

Though not a resident of the neighborhood, Chu rushed to the site upon hearing the news and has been busy from 9 p.m. on Wednesday until the early hours of Thursday morning. From moving to distributing supplies, he and other volunteers did whatever was needed to help.

Heather Yin, corporate communications manager of the Hong Kong Red Cross, said that the organization has opened a psychological support hotline for those affected and has been working with local communities to mobilize volunteers.

"All institutions and organizations are pulling together in the relief effort," Yin said.

Assistance efforts have helped alleviate the anxiety of those affected and strengthened their confidence.

"I saw my building engulfed by flames on the way home from work. My kid was at school, and my mother was at home alone," said a resident surnamed Chan. She had been anxiously trying to reach her family while being relocated to the shelter and was finally relieved to be reunited with them.

"The social worker came to check on my kid. It's reassuring to be with my family and get support from others. I believe that we can get through this," she said.

(With input from Xinhua)