Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades sparks tragedy and urgent safety questions: at least 55 fatalities

A catastrophic fire swept through a public housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, leaving at least 55 people dead and more than 270 unaccounted for in what has become the city’s deadliest blaze in decades. The fire, which erupted on Wednesday afternoon, tore through seven of the eight residential towers in the Wang Fuk Court complex, sending flames and thick smoke billowing from high-rise windows. Hundreds of residents, many of them elderly, were forced to flee as firefighters battled intense heat and falling debris well into the next morning.

By Thursday, authorities announced that the situation was partially under control in four of the affected buildings, though fire crews were still working to extinguish the remaining blazes. Rescue operations were hampered by extreme temperatures, collapsing scaffolding, and the rapid spread of flames fueled by construction materials surrounding the buildings. More than 900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters, and over 60 people were hospitalized with burns or smoke inhalation. A 37-year-old firefighter was among those killed.

As the fires began to subside, attention quickly shifted to the cause of the disaster. Officials said the blaze likely began on scaffolding attached to a 32-story tower undergoing renovation and then spread rapidly to the interior and neighboring structures—possibly accelerated by strong winds. Police also reported finding flammable materials such as Styrofoam, plastic sheeting, and mesh installed on exterior walls. These materials, now suspected of violating fire-safety standards, may have created a pathway for the flames to climb the buildings.

In response, three executives from the construction firm responsible for the renovation were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Investigators accused them of gross negligence for allowing highly flammable materials to remain on site. Senior police officials said the discovery of these materials outside windows and near lift lobbies suggested a systemic failure in safety compliance. The buildings, originally constructed in the 1980s, had recently been undergoing major refurbishment at the time of the disaster.

The tragedy prompted swift reactions from Hong Kong and mainland Chinese leaders. Chief Executive John Lee suspended citywide election campaign activities and said the government would focus its efforts on managing the crisis. Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed condolences to victims’ families and urged authorities to minimize further casualties. The fire, which reached a level-five alarm—the city’s highest—evoked memories of a 1996 blaze that killed 41 people, underscoring long-standing concerns about renovation practices and the widespread use of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong.