HONG KONG: A devastating high-rise fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has tragically claimed the lives of at least 44 people, including one firefighter, making it the city’s deadliest fire in nearly three decades. The massive inferno, which swept through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, has prompted a major investigation, leading to the arrest of three individuals on suspicion of manslaughter.
Disaster Escalates to Highest Alarm Level
The blaze erupted on Wednesday afternoon (November 26) at the massive Wang Fuk Court estate, which consists of eight residential towers. The fire services department quickly escalated the incident to a Level 5 alarm, the highest severity rating, due to the unprecedented speed and scale of the spread.
- Casualties: The death toll currently stands at 44, with at least one dedicated firefighter, Ho Wai-ho (37), among the deceased. Authorities report that hundreds of residents remain unaccounted for, and over 60 people were rushed to the hospital, some in critical condition.
- Scale of Emergency: Over 760 first responders, including hundreds of firefighters and police officers, were deployed in an extensive overnight operation. More than 900 residents of the complex—home to an estimated 4,800 people across nearly 2,000 apartments—have been evacuated to temporary shelters.
🪵 Construction Materials Blamed for Rapid Spread
Initial investigations point to the construction materials surrounding the high-rise complex, which was undergoing large-scale maintenance and renovation. Authorities believe these materials acted as a dangerous conduit, allowing the fire to rip through the exterior and quickly engulf multiple towers.
- Bamboo Scaffolding: The buildings were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and construction netting, a traditional but highly flammable construction material still common in Hong Kong. Witnesses described hearing loud cracking sounds as the bamboo burned and collapsed.
- Highly Flammable Foam: Police also revealed the discovery of polystyrene (styrofoam) boards used to seal windows and external areas during the renovation. Fire Services Director Andy Yeung Yan-kin stated that these “extremely inflammable” materials caused the blaze to travel with “unusual speed” through corridors and rapidly ignite flats on multiple levels.
- Suspicious Netting: Security Secretary Chris Tang noted that preliminary checks suggested the construction netting and waterproof tarpaulin on the building walls burned much faster than regulated materials, calling the speed of the fire’s spread “suspicious.”
⚖️ Manslaughter Charges & Government Probe
In the wake of the tragedy, Hong Kong police announced the arrest of three men connected to the construction company responsible for the renovation work.
- Arrests: The three suspects, including two directors and an engineering consultant of the firm, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, with police citing “gross negligence” as a key factor in the fire’s uncontrolled spread and major casualties.
- Official Response: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee expressed deep sadness and ordered the establishment of a task force to launch a full and thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and all related safety issues. The results will be submitted to the coroner.
- Safety Concerns: The incident has intensified concerns over fire safety standards in one of the world’s most densely populated cities. The Hong Kong government had already announced plans earlier this year to start phasing out bamboo scaffolding in public projects due to safety risks, though fire hazard was not the primary cited reason.
This Wang Fuk Court disaster is now considered the deadliest fire in the city since the 1996 Garley Building fire in Kowloon, which killed 41 people. The recovery and investigation efforts are expected to continue for several days as the city mourns this catastrophic loss of life.
