Tai Po, Hong Kong — Wednesday, November 27, 2025
A catastrophic fire swept through a residential estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on Wednesday, November 27, 2025, claiming the lives of 13 people, including a firefighter, and leaving at least 15 others critically injured. The blaze rapidly spread across seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court after flames caught onto bamboo scaffolding that lined the exterior of the buildings.
Thick, dark smoke towered above the estate as firefighters and rescue teams rushed to save residents trapped in their flats. Emergency services reported receiving numerous calls for help from individuals unable to escape, including a man and a woman later found unconscious with severe burns.
The fire initially started as a No. 1 alarm, but escalating conditions forced officials to upgrade it to No. 4 by mid-afternoon and ultimately to the highest No. 5 alarm at 6:22 p.m.—the most critical level in Hong Kong’s five-tier fire alert system.
Dramatic footage captured the blaze racing up the outer walls of multiple buildings, with bamboo scaffolding, along with its green mesh lining, catching fire and collapsing in burning sheets onto the ground.
Second Fire Emerges Nearby
Later that night, at around 10:55 p.m., another fire was reported near Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School, roughly an eight-minute walk from Wang Fuk Court and across the Tai Po River. Several fire engines and an ambulance were dispatched to the school grounds. Authorities have yet to confirm whether the two incidents are connected.
Hundreds of Residents Left Stranded
By 10:00 p.m., approximately 100 residents from nearby Kwong Fuk Estate remained stranded on a podium area after being told to evacuate for safety. Most were residents of Kwong Lai House and Kwong Yau House, located close to the affected estate.
A 76-year-old resident surnamed Lau said she received only basic supplies—a blanket, jacket, snacks, and hand warmers—and was advised to remain outside.
“They said the shelters were only for Wang Fuk Court residents,” she said. “But I have nowhere to go. I’m worried I’ll have to stay out here all night.”
Lau also recalled being blocked from retrieving her jacket during the evacuation. “They stopped me from going up, so I ended up climbing seven floors to get it,” she added.
Classes Suspended in Six Schools
Due to the massive fire and resulting road closures, the Education Bureau announced that six schools in Tai Po would suspend classes on Thursday, November 28, 2025. The bureau has deployed educational psychologists to temporary shelters to provide emotional support for affected students. Parents and teachers were urged to closely monitor children’s mental well-being during this period.