On November 26, 2025, a massive fire erupted at the Wang Fuk Court public housing estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, rapidly spreading across seven of its eight 32-story residential towers. The blaze, Hong Kong's deadliest in 77 years, began around 2:52 p.m. local time in one building and escalated to a level-5 alarm—the city's highest severity rating—within hours. By November 27, the death toll reached at least 55, including one firefighter, with nearly 300 people still unaccounted for amid ongoing search and rescue operations. The fire was brought under control by Thursday afternoon, with flames extinguished in four towers and the remaining three smoldering but contained. Rescue efforts continue, hampered by collapsed scaffolding, extreme heat, and structural instability, as authorities fear more victims trapped inside.The complex, built in the early 1980s, houses about 4,600 residents across 2,000 apartments in one of Hong Kong's most densely populated areas, exacerbating the tragedy amid the city's chronic affordable housing crisis. Tai Po, a suburban district near the mainland China border with around 300,000 residents, saw thick plumes of smoke visible for miles, forcing evacuations and road closures.Hong Kong police have pointed to "gross negligence" by a construction firm as a primary factor in the fire's ignition and uncontrollable spread. Superintendent Eileen Chung stated: "We have reason to believe that the company’s responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties." Investigators identified highly flammable foam boards installed outside elevator lobby windows on every floor of at least one tower—likely for renovation work—as a key accelerant. These materials, combined with interconnected bamboo scaffolding and netting erected across the buildings, allowed flames to surge 32 stories in just five minutes, outpacing the 20-minute evacuation window.
Fire safety experts, including Prof. Jiang Liming from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, noted that the bamboo scaffolding— a traditional, cost-effective but highly combustible material used widely in the city—likely acted as a "chimney" for the blaze. This echoes criticisms from past incidents, like the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, where flammable cladding fueled rapid spread. Hong Kong's Development Bureau has discussed phasing out bamboo in favor of metal scaffolding, but no timeline has been set.Three men from the unnamed construction company—two directors (aged 52 and 68) and one engineering consultant (aged 65)—were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter shortly after the fire was contained. Police are probing whether the firm cut corners on materials to save costs, violating fire safety standards. Separately, Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) launched a criminal probe into potential graft related to the renovation approvals. Over 230 firefighters and 60 fire engines were deployed, rescuing 55 people, but many residents reported faulty alarms (disabled during works) and non-functional elevators, delaying escapes. Chief Executive John Lee declared a day of mourning and announced a HK$300 million ($38.5 million) relief fund for affected residents, covering temporary housing, medical aid, and rebuilding. He vowed a full review of building safety regulations, stating, "We must ensure such a tragedy never happens again." At least 45 survivors remain in critical condition in hospitals, with over 1,000 displaced.
Public outrage has surged on social media, with residents and activists decrying "negligence and cost-cutting" as systemic failures in Hong Kong's aging infrastructure. Grenfell United, survivors of the London fire, expressed solidarity: "Our hearts go out to all those affected... You are not alone." On X, posts highlight the human toll, with one user sharing: "Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 55... over 300 missing," linking to global coverage.This incident underscores broader concerns over fire safety in high-density urban environments, prompting calls for immediate audits of similar complexes. For live updates, follow official channels from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department or Chief Executive's Office. As of November 27, 2025, searches persist, and the toll may rise.