Hong Kong witnessed one of its most devastating tragedies in recent history as a massive fire engulfed the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, claiming at least 94 lives and leaving over 70 injured. The blaze, which broke out on November 26, 2025, marks the city's deadliest fire incident since the 1996 Kowloon commercial building disaster that killed 41 people.
The Deadly Inferno Unfolds
The fire originated in the afternoon of November 26 within one of the eight residential towers at Wang Fuk Court, a subsidized housing estate constructed in the 1980s. Located in Tai Po district near Hong Kong's border with mainland China, the complex housed approximately 4,800 residents across nearly 2,000 apartments. Within minutes, the flames spread aggressively to adjacent buildings, eventually consuming seven of the eight 32-storey towers.
Firefighters battled the five-alarm blaze for more than 24 hours, with rescue operations expected to conclude on November 28. More than 1,000 emergency personnel responded to the catastrophe, facing unprecedented challenges in their rescue efforts.
What Caused the Rapid Spread?
Authorities identified several critical factors that contributed to the fire's rapid escalation. Bamboo scaffolding and construction netting from an ongoing renovation project acted as conduits, enabling flames to jump between buildings with terrifying speed. Investigators made a disturbing discovery after bringing the fire under control: highly flammable plastic foam panels installed near windows on multiple floors, materials that apparently failed to meet fire resistance standards.
The police and Hong Kong's anti-corruption agency have launched a joint investigation into the renovation project. Three individuals, including directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Police suspect gross negligence in the use of unsafe materials, with documents seized from the construction company for detailed examination.
Rescue Challenges and Evacuation Efforts
Firefighters encountered extraordinary obstacles during rescue operations. Their equipment, including ladders and hoses, could only reach up to 17-18 floors, leaving residents trapped on upper levels vulnerable. Intense heat prevented aerial operations and made certain sections inaccessible for hours.
Emergency services prioritized responding to 25 emergency calls received from apartments during the blaze, most located on upper floors where the fire was last extinguished. More than 900 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters, with many casualties occurring in the first two towers that caught fire, which housed a significant elderly population.
Hong Kong leader John Lee announced immediate measures including a dedicated task force to investigate the incident, safety inspections for all housing estates undergoing major repairs, and comprehensive support for survivors. The tragedy has exposed critical safety gaps in older buildings, particularly the absence of smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and fire refuge floors that became mandatory in revised building codes after these structures were constructed.
