记者直击：香港大埔大火已造成44人遇难，有老者称“住了几十年，没见过这么大的火”

Core Points - The fire at Hong Kong's Tai Po Wang Fuk Court has resulted in 44 fatalities and 45 injuries, with 279 individuals still unaccounted for [1][20] - The incident has been classified as a "major disaster" by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, John Lee [2] - Investigations are underway, with three individuals from the construction company arrested, including two directors and one engineering consultant [1] Incident Details - The fire started on November 26 at 2:51 PM, initially igniting scaffolding on the building's exterior and rapidly spreading to surrounding structures [1] - The fire was classified as a "Level 5" incident, the highest level in Hong Kong's fire alarm system, by 6:22 PM on the same day [1] - Eyewitness accounts describe the fire's unusual speed and intensity, exacerbated by strong winds that facilitated the spread of flames [3][15] Investigation and Response - A special task force has been established by the police and fire department to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident [3][18] - The investigation will focus on potential criminal negligence, arson, and the use of non-compliant building materials [18][19] - The government has initiated a review of fire safety standards for similar construction projects across Hong Kong [19] Community Impact - Many residents, particularly the elderly, were caught off guard due to the rapid spread of the fire and the absence of fire alarms [9][10] - Temporary shelters have been set up for displaced residents, providing essential supplies and support [12][13] - The community is in a state of distress, with many residents anxiously awaiting news of missing loved ones [13][14]