香港大火为老旧楼宇敲响警钟，高层火灾救援是“世界级难题”

Core Points - The fire incident at Hong Kong's Mong Fuk Court resulted in 55 fatalities and 72 injuries, marking the first level 5 fire alarm in Hong Kong since 2008 [1][2] - The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to the building's age, height, and the use of flammable materials during ongoing renovations [3][4] - High-rise fire rescue poses significant challenges globally, necessitating a focus on prevention and improved safety measures [3][6] Summary by Sections Incident Overview - The fire at Mong Fuk Court escalated to a level 5 alarm, with 55 confirmed deaths and 72 injuries reported [1][2] - The building, part of a public housing scheme, was undergoing major renovations at the time of the fire [2] Causes of Rapid Fire Spread - The fire spread quickly due to the presence of scaffolding and flammable materials used in the renovation process [2][4] - The building's height and age contributed to the difficulty in firefighting efforts, as standard firefighting equipment is often inadequate for high-rise structures [3][7] Challenges in High-Rise Fire Rescue - High-rise buildings present unique challenges in fire rescue, including limited access for firefighting equipment and rapid fire spread due to vertical spaces [3][6] - The design of high-rise buildings often relies on internal fire safety systems, which can fail, leaving external rescue efforts severely hampered [7][8] Regulatory and Safety Measures - Hong Kong has implemented mandatory building inspections for structures over 30 years old to address fire safety concerns [5][6] - New regulations have been introduced to enhance fire safety standards in high-rise buildings, including the use of non-combustible materials and improved evacuation routes [8][9] Recommendations for Improvement - Experts suggest multiple strategies to enhance fire safety in high-rise buildings, including better material control, independent fire zones, and improved evacuation designs [9][10] - The need for specialized firefighting equipment and training for high-rise scenarios is emphasized to mitigate risks associated with high-rise fires [6][7]