Hong Kong (November 28, 2025)– Firefighters continued their efforts on Thursday to contain a massive fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po, a northern suburb of Hong Kong, as the death toll climbed to 94, making it one of the deadliest fires in the city’s modern history.
Rescue teams moved cautiously through the charred high-rise buildings, using flashlights to search each apartment for survivors while thick smoke billowed from some windows. Authorities are still trying to determine how many people remain missing or trapped inside the seven affected towers.
Deputy Director of Fire Services Operations, Derek Armstrong Chan, stated, “Our firefighting operation is nearly complete. The next step is the search and rescue operation,” emphasizing the ongoing efforts to prevent flare-ups from debris and embers.
Early reports indicated that contact had been lost with 279 individuals, although updates on their status remained limited. Video footage from the scene showed rescuers navigating through dark, smoke-filled apartments, with flames still visible in several units.
Officials believe the fire originated on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting on the exterior of one 32-story tower before spreading rapidly to adjacent buildings. Chan described the blaze as spreading “exceptionally fast,” complicating emergency access due to falling debris, high temperatures, and blocked pathways.
More than 70 people were injured, including 11 firefighters, while nearly 900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters overnight. Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences and prayers for the victims, their families, and emergency personnel.
Residents recounted harrowing experiences during the fire. Lawrence Lee said his wife had tried to escape but was forced back into their apartment due to smoke-filled corridors. Another resident, 75-year-old Winter Chung, described witnessing sparks and chaos as she evacuated and said she struggled to sleep afterward, worried about her home.
Three men, including two company directors and an engineering consultant, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire. Authorities have seized documents from Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, which was overseeing renovations at the complex. Investigations suggest that flammable materials, including plastic foam panels, may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Wang Fuk Court comprises eight buildings with nearly 2,000 apartments housing approximately 4,800 residents, including many elderly individuals. Built in the 1980s, the complex was undergoing extensive renovation. The Hong Kong government announced that immediate inspections of all major renovation projects will be conducted to ensure scaffolding and construction materials meet safety standards.
The tragedy has sparked discussions about replacing traditional bamboo scaffolding, widely used in Hong Kong, with metal scaffolding due to fire safety concerns. Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan highlighted that while bamboo scaffolding has historical significance, its flame resistance is inferior to metal scaffolding, prompting a review of safety protocols.
The fire has been described as the deadliest in Hong Kong in decades, surpassing a 1996 commercial building fire in Kowloon that claimed 41 lives over approximately 20 hours. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the fire’s cause and possible violations during the ongoing renovations.