Remembering the Garley Building fire 20 years on
On November 21, 1996, Hong Kong woke up to news of a deadly fire in the Garley Building, an office block on Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, which claimed 41 lives. Reports in the days that followed revealed the full extent of the tragedy and reaction to it
“Hunt for inferno bodies: Two dead, 70 injured and 93 rescued as blaze rages through Nathan Road office block”, was the headline Hongkongers woke up to in the South China Morning Post the day after the Garley Building fire, which claimed 41 lives 20 years ago today.
“Two people died, one was confirmed missing and scores more hurt last night when fire ripped through a building in Yau Ma Tei. But teams were early today searching the block for as many as 40 more victims,” the report continued.
“Fire tore through the 16-storey Garley Building at 233 Nathan Road for more than eight hours after a small blaze quickly turned into an inferno, trapping dozens. One of the dead was a fireman. Ninety-three people, including three other fire officers, were plucked to safety during a massive rescue operation.”
The Post reported that 32 fire engines and two government helicopters had attended the scene.