Authorities in Hong Kong are grappling with what has been declared the city’s deadliest residential fire in decades after a massive blaze tore through multiple high-rise towers at Wang Fuk Court, a large public-housing complex in the Tai Po district, on November 26, 2025.
The inferno erupted in the mid-afternoon, reportedly starting on the bamboo scaffolding and construction netting covering one of the blocks undergoing renovation. Flames quickly spread, racing up the exterior and engulfing at least seven of the eight towers in the complex.
By the time firefighters brought major parts of the fire under control, the confirmed death toll had climbed to at least 94 people, including a firefighter, while dozens more were injured and hundreds remain unaccounted for.
Emergency crews — supported by nearly 800 firefighters and over 120 fire engines — battled intense heat, thick smoke and structural collapse. Rescue efforts were complicated by the scale of the blaze and the building’s high-rise design.
Local authorities have arrested three individuals, including two directors of the construction firm contracted for the renovation and an engineering consultant, on suspicion of manslaughter, citing gross negligence and alleged use of unsafe, highly flammable materials during refurbishment.
Investigators believe the fire was accelerated by non-fire-resistant materials such as plastic netting, foam insulation, and bamboo scaffolding — building methods increasingly under scrutiny in the city’s aging housing stock.
In the wake of the tragedy, over 900 residents have been displaced and temporarily housed in shelters. The government has pledged to establish a relief fund for affected families, while the broader community is calling for urgent reform of building-safety regulations and stricter oversight of renovation practices.
As Hong Kong mourns one of its darkest peacetime disasters, attention has turned not only to rescue and recovery — but to accountability, prevention, and the urgent need to protect vulnerable urban populations from similar disasters. Dalena Reporters will continue to monitor the investigation, support initiatives for victims, and track legislative responses to pending safety reforms.