Massive fire tears through Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po
A catastrophic fire engulfed the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong on Wednesday, resulting in one of the deadliest housing disasters in the city’s recent history. At least 44 people have died, and at least 279 more remain missing as rescue operations continue.
The inferno began shortly after 2:50 p.m. local time and spread rapidly across multiple high-rise towers, turning a routine afternoon into a scene of chaos and devastation.
Blaze spread fast — scaffolding and renovation materials under scrutiny
Initial reports suggest the fire started on bamboo scaffolding and external netting that surrounded the buildings — present because the estate was undergoing renovation. These materials, together with plastic sheeting and possibly non-fire-resistant window sealing foam, are believed to have fueled the rapid spread of flames up the exterior of the towers, and then inside to apartments.
Windy conditions and the dense layout of the 31-storey buildings likely compounded the disaster, enabling the fire to leap across towers within minutes.
Authorities also noted serious obstacles for rescuers: black smoke, heat, falling debris and collapsing scaffolding hindered access to upper floors, even as search operations continued into the night.
Rescue efforts and human toll
- Emergency services deployed hundreds of firefighters, fire engines, ambulances and support personnel. Гардиан+1
- By early Thursday, more than 900 residents had been evacuated and were housed in temporary shelters. Гардиан+1
- At least 45 people are reported hospitalized, many in critical condition.
- Tragically, among the dead is a 37-year-old firefighter who lost his life during the rescue operation.
Families and neighbours looked on in horror as the flames engulfed entire façades, residents scrambled to flee, and smoke filled Hong Kong’s night sky. Some described seeing neighbours still trapped as the fire roared.
Arrests made — authorities point to gross negligence
In a dramatic development, police arrested three men — two directors and one consultant from the construction company responsible for the renovation — on suspicion of manslaughter, citing gross negligence tied to use of unsafe building and scaffolding materials.
Officials said the materials used during renovation did not meet fire-safety standards and could have directly contributed to the blaze’s overwhelming speed and lethality.
What’s next — investigation, public anger and housing safety questions
The government has launched a full criminal investigation into the disaster. The arrests reflect mounting public anger over perceived cost-cutting and neglect of safety regulations.
As smoke clears, many former residents face homelessness, loss of loved ones, and deep uncertainty. Nearly 900 people remain displaced.
Observers warn the fire could spark broader scrutiny of Hong Kong’s building codes — especially around use of flammable scaffolding materials, renovation safety, and fire-prevention measures in dense housing estates.
Final word
What began as a renovation project has ended in tragedy. The disaster at Wang Fuk Court has laid bare vulnerabilities in construction practices, safety oversight, and emergency preparedness. As the city mourns dozens dead, several hundred missing, and many more displaced, Hong Kong faces a reckoning — one that may force wide-ranging changes to how high-rise housing is built, maintained and renovated.
