A heart-wrenching disaster struck Hong Kong when a massive fire ripped through seven of the eight apartment blocks at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, leaving at least 128 souls lost and 79 injured. This is the deadliest fire Hong Kong has seen in over 70 years! The flames broke out on Wednesday afternoon at 14:51 local time and quickly turned deadly. Firefighters battled fiercely, with more than 2,311 men and women rushing to the scene. The blaze finally died down at 10:18 on Friday morning. The fire started at a lower floor and climbed high, fueled by Styrofoam and other flammable materials placed around windows during ongoing renovations. Police said these dangerous materials helped the fire spread like wild fire across the buildings. Some parts even caught fire again after firefighters doused the flames, as the temperature inside soared to 500°C (932°F). In a chilling loss, 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho was found collapsed after contact was lost during the fight against the blaze. Twelve other brave firefighters were injured too. The tragedy caused deep shock and anger in the community. Residents revealed that fire alarms in all the blocks were not working properly, and some were even switched off by renovation workers! Complaints about high renovation fees and questionable safety standards are now getting attention. Authorities wasted no time: three people overseeing the renovations were arrested for manslaughter, and a corruption investigation is underway. Police will enter the buildings soon to collect evidence over the next few weeks. Wang Fuk Court is an old housing estate built in 1983 providing nearly 2,000 apartments to about 4,600 residents. Many are elderly - almost 40% are over 65. The fire unfolded quickly and mercilessly, reminding Hong Kong of its deadliest fire in 1948 when 176 lives were lost due to an explosion. Now, the city mourns again, demanding justice and better protection for its people.