A devastating high-rise fire has ripped through a residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in the city's deadliest blaze in nearly three decades. As of Thursday morning, authorities confirmed that at least 44 people have died and 279 residents are reported missing, with rescue operations continuing through the smoldering ruins.
The fire, which began Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court public housing complex, quickly escalated to a Level 5 alarm—the highest level of severity. Flames and thick, black smoke engulfed seven of the complex's eight high-rise towers, fueled by what investigators suspect were substandard construction materials.
Rapid Spread and Mounting Casualties
The inferno reportedly started on the external bamboo scaffolding of one of the buildings, a 32-story tower, before spreading rapidly to adjacent buildings, a phenomenon officials have deemed "unusual." Fire services Director Andy Yeung noted the difficulty of the operation, stating that high temperatures and falling debris presented extreme challenges to rescue crews.
Tragically, one of the fatalities is a 37-year-old firefighter who died in the line of duty. Of the confirmed deaths, 40 were declared dead at the scene, and four others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. At least 62 people were injured, with many suffering from severe burn and inhalation injuries.
The Wang Fuk Court complex, built in the 1980s, houses nearly 5,000 residents, including many elderly individuals who may have struggled to evacuate. Over 900 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters.
Manslaughter Arrests and Investigation
The catastrophic spread of the fire has immediately raised serious questions about construction safety standards. Police have arrested three men—two directors and an engineering consultant—from a construction firm working on the renovation, on suspicion of manslaughter.
Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung stated police have reason to believe the company's officials were "grossly negligent." Authorities found highly flammable polystyrene boards blocking windows in some apartments and suspect that the construction materials, including the traditional bamboo scaffolding, may not have met fire resistance standards.
Chinese leader President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, urging Hong Kong authorities to make "every effort" to minimize casualties and losses.
This fire is now confirmed to be the deadliest in Hong Kong since the 1996 Garley Building blaze, which claimed 41 lives. Authorities continue the painstaking process of searching the charred buildings and verifying the status of the hundreds still unaccounted for.
