As dawn crept over Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on November 28, 2025, the skyline was marred by the blackened skeletons of the Wang Fuk Court towers—a haunting testament to one of the city’s deadliest disasters in modern memory. Firefighters, exhausted but relentless, battled for a second day to extinguish the last embers of a blaze that had swept through the eight-block residential complex, ultimately claiming at least 94 lives and injuring more than 70, including 11 firefighters. The tragedy has left an entire community reeling and raised urgent questions about building safety, renovation practices, and the city’s reliance on traditional construction methods.
The fire began midafternoon on November 26, according to The Associated Press, when flames erupted on bamboo scaffolding and green construction netting shrouding the estate for ongoing renovations. Fanned by brisk winds, the inferno spread with terrifying speed across seven of the complex’s eight 32-story towers, engulfing nearly 2,000 apartments and leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. As thick smoke poured from shattered windows, rescuers—flashlights in hand—searched apartment by apartment, desperate to find survivors amid the darkness and chaos.
The scale of the disaster quickly became clear. By Thursday, November 27, authorities had lost contact with as many as 279 residents, with the number of missing or trapped remaining uncertain as rescue operations continued. About 900 people were evacuated to temporary shelters overnight, many clutching little more than the clothes on their backs and the hope of news about missing loved ones. The city’s Fire Services Department reported that, in addition to the 94 confirmed dead, over 70 people were injured, including 11 firefighters who risked their lives to contain the blaze.
"Our firefighting operation is almost complete," said Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of Fire Services Operations, during a Thursday press conference. "What’s next is the search and rescue operation." But the work was anything but straightforward. Emergency vehicle access was blocked by collapsed scaffolding and debris, and falling materials from upper floors threatened the safety of rescuers. High temperatures and darkness inside the towers made each search a perilous undertaking. "Debris and scaffolding were falling from upper floors," Chan explained. "There are also other reasons like high temperature, darkness ... making our access to the building very difficult."
For many residents, the ordeal was deeply personal and traumatic. Lawrence Lee, whose wife was trapped in their apartment, recounted the harrowing moment he realized she couldn’t escape. "When the fire started, I told her on the phone to escape. But once she left the flat, the corridor and stairs were all filled with smoke and it was all dark, so she had no choice but to go back to the flat," he told The Associated Press, waiting anxiously in a shelter overnight. Another resident, identified only as Wan, lamented, "All of our belongings were in this building and now it has all burned. What’s left?"
The city’s leadership responded with both immediate relief and pledges for accountability. Chief Executive John Lee announced the establishment of a HK$300 million emergency fund to support affected residents, promising each household HK$10,000 in emergency aid and temporary accommodation in hotels or youth hostels for up to two weeks. At the same time, Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency launched a probe into possible corruption related to the renovation project—an investigation that quickly led to the arrest of three men: two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, the firm responsible for the complex’s renovations. Police seized boxes of documents, computers, and mobile phones from the company’s offices as part of the ongoing investigation.
"We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent," Eileen Chung, a senior superintendent of police, told reporters. Authorities suspect that some of the materials used on the exterior walls did not meet fire resistance standards, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Police also discovered highly flammable plastic foam panels attached to the windows near elevator lobbies—believed to have been installed by the construction company, though the purpose remains unclear. Secretary for Security Chris Tang confirmed that these materials would be subject to further investigation.
At the heart of the tragedy lies a broader issue: the use of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong construction. While bamboo has a long history in the city—valued for its flexibility, strength, and low cost—it is far less flame-resistant than metal alternatives now common in mainland China. In fact, Hong Kong still counts around 2,500 registered bamboo scaffolding masters, and as recently as March, the government required only half of new public works contracts to use metal scaffolding. The deadly fire has brought this practice under renewed scrutiny. "While we know that bamboo scaffolding has a long history in Hong Kong, its flame retardancy is inferior to that of metal scaffolding. For safety reasons, the government believes that a complete switch to metal scaffolding should be implemented in suitable working environments," Eric Chan, Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration, stated.
Officials now plan to conduct immediate inspections of all housing estates undergoing major renovations, ensuring that scaffolding and construction materials meet safety standards. Contractors have been given seven days to submit proof of their use of fire-retardant materials—a move designed to prevent similar disasters in the future. The city’s development bureau is also discussing a phased replacement of bamboo scaffolding with metal across Hong Kong.
Support for the victims and their families has poured in from around the world. Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to Hong Kong’s bishop, Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, expressing "spiritual solidarity to all those suffering from the effects of this calamity, especially the injured and the families who grieve." Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire in London—another tragedy marked by questions over building safety and flammable cladding—offered words of comfort: "Our hearts go out to all those affected by the horrific fire in Hong Kong... To the families, friends and communities, we stand with you. You are not alone," posted the Grenfell United group on social media.
Chinese companies and charitable organizations have also stepped forward, pledging millions in emergency relief. The Jack Ma Foundation, Anta Group, and others have donated substantial funds and supplies, while local residents organized grassroots aid stations for those displaced by the fire. "It’s truly touching. The spirit of Hong Kong people is that when one is in trouble, everyone lends support... It shows that Hong Kong people are full of love," Stone Ngai, a local organizer, told AFP.
The Wang Fuk Court fire is the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948 and has exposed both the strengths and vulnerabilities of a city in transition. As rescue operations draw to a close and investigations continue, the tragedy stands as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, accountability, and compassion in the face of disaster.
