Thursday | 27th November 2025
HONG KONG — One of the deadliest fires in Hong Kong’s recent history continued to rage through the night into Thursday, killing at least 44 people, leaving 279 others unaccounted for, and injuring dozens more as firefighters battled towering flames engulfing a densely populated public housing complex.
The massive blaze erupted Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, a suburban district in the New Territories near the border with mainland China. By Thursday morning, flames were still not fully extinguished, and rescue teams continued pulling residents from smoke-filled high-rise apartments as thick black smoke filled the skyline.
Authorities said the fire spread with alarming speed across seven of the eight residential towers, sending bright orange flames shooting from multiple floors while debris and burning scaffolding fell into the streets below. The complex houses nearly 2,000 apartments and is home to about 4,800 residents, many of them elderly. Around 900 people were evacuated to temporary shelters as their homes were destroyed.
Dozens Dead, Hundreds Missing
Of the 44 confirmed deaths, 40 victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while four others later succumbed to their injuries at hospitals. At least 62 people were injured, many suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation. Grim search-and-rescue operations continued as officials warned the death toll could rise sharply given the high number of people still listed as missing.
Among the dead was a 37-year-old firefighter who collapsed during rescue efforts. Another firefighter was hospitalized for heat exhaustion. Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung said crews were operating under extreme conditions, with temperatures inside the burning towers reaching deadly levels.
“The temperature inside the buildings is extremely high. Falling debris and collapsing scaffolding have made it nearly impossible to reach some upper floors,” said Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of Fire Services operations. “Our crews are risking their lives at every moment.”
More than 200 fire engines and rescue vehicles and about 100 ambulances were deployed as hundreds of firefighters, police officers, and paramedics rushed to the scene. Firefighters blasted intense jets of water from ladder trucks extending dozens of stories into the air, but strong winds repeatedly drove the flames back toward adjacent towers.
Origin of the Fire and Arrests
Officials said the fire began on the external bamboo scaffolding of a 32-story tower undergoing renovation. Fueled by construction netting and gusty winds, the flames rapidly raced up the exterior walls, broke into apartments, and then leapt across to neighboring buildings.
Police have arrested three men, aged 52 to 68, on suspicion of manslaughter. The suspects are directors and an engineering consultant of the construction company responsible for the renovation work. Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung said investigators believe the company showed “gross negligence.”
Authorities also discovered Styrofoam insulation materials, known to be highly flammable, installed outside windows near lift lobbies on each floor of the one tower that escaped the blaze. Preliminary investigations further indicate that some exterior wall materials may not have met fire-resistance standards, which could explain the unusual speed and intensity of the fire.
Level-5 Emergency, Harsh Conditions
As night fell, the inferno was upgraded to a Level-5 alarm, the highest emergency classification under Hong Kong’s fire services system. Even by Thursday morning, only four of the burning towers were reported to be “coming under control.” Fire officials said repeated flare-ups continued to threaten both trapped residents and rescue crews.
“The combination of high heat, falling debris, and collapsing scaffolding creates an extremely dangerous working environment,” Chan said. “We received numerous emergency calls from people trapped inside their homes.”
National and Political Fallout
China’s leader Xi Jinping expressed condolences for the victims, including the fallen firefighter, in a statement aired by state broadcaster CCTV. Xi urged all levels of government to intensify rescue efforts and minimize further casualties and losses.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee described the blaze as a “major catastrophe” and said the government would shift all possible resources to rescue and relief operations. He also announced the suspension of public campaigning for the upcoming Dec. 7 Legislative Council elections, though he stopped short of confirming whether the vote itself would be postponed.
“We must focus on saving lives and caring for the wounded and displaced,” Lee said, adding that further decisions regarding the elections would be made in the coming days.
Residents in Shock
At temporary shelters set up in community halls and schools, exhausted evacuees gathered with little more than the clothes they fled in. Many watched in despair as television footage replayed images of their burning homes.
“I’ve given up thinking about my property,” said a resident who identified herself only as Wu, speaking to local broadcaster TVB. “Watching it burn like that was really frustrating. I just hope my neighbors made it out.”
District officials in Tai Po said hundreds of displaced residents will require long-term temporary housing, as several towers have suffered catastrophic structural and fire damage.
Safety Questions Over Bamboo Scaffolding
The fire has reignited debate over the widespread use of bamboo scaffolding, a traditional but controversial construction method commonly seen across Hong Kong. While light and flexible, bamboo structures can become deadly conduits for fire when combined with flammable netting and insulation materials.
Earlier this year, the government announced plans to gradually phase out bamboo scaffolding for public works due to growing safety concerns. This disaster is expected to accelerate regulatory scrutiny of private construction projects as well.