The first signs of flames were near the building’s scaffolding at the top. The fire was clearly visible across the harbor and sent sparks raining down onto nearby streets.
In Hong Kong, a high-rise building that was being built burst into flames and was still burning hours later. The fire threatened to spread, so some nearby residential blocks were evacuated early Friday.

The fire started at 11:11 p.m. (1511 GMT) on Thursday in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, a bustling tourist and shopping district on the city’s harbourfront, according to officials. On a five-point scale, it eventually reached the fourth level of severity.

Early on Friday, police informed AFP that 130 affected residents had been relocated to a safe distance and that no casualties had been reported.
The first signs of flames were near the building’s scaffolding at the top. The fire was clearly visible across the harbor and sent sparks raining down onto nearby streets.

After about an hour, the fire had grown all the way down the building and was getting closer to the street level, where hundreds of people had gathered to watch.

Tosho Sai, a Japanese tourist who was staying in a building nearby, said that after a window in the unit next door caught fire, a security guard told everyone on his floor to leave.

The site was visited by a French business traveler who claimed to have witnessed “a lot of debris falling” from the tower.

He told AFP, “It’s truly an apocalyptic scene… Really very, very scary for everyone.”

An AFP reporter who was present at the scene reported that large pieces of what appeared to be site debris were visible on the ground and that a pungent odor permeated the air.

Around 3:30 a.m., flames were visible on the roof of an office tower across the street, raising concerns about a larger fire spreading throughout the densely built-up area.

Five buildings in the area had reported fires, according to the police, though some were quickly put out.

According to the Empire Group’s website, the building was advertised as a 42-story “harbourside icon” with plans to house a new hotel and the historic Mariners’ Club.

According to local media, the HK$6 billion (764 million) redevelopment project was approved in 2019 and initially anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2023.

AFP inquired for further information, but Empire Group did not immediately respond.