A massive fire ripped through the residential high-rise complex Wang Fuk Court in the northern Tai Po District of Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon, marking the deadliest blaze in the city in decades. The inferno began in one building undergoing renovation, rapidly engulfing seven of the eight 31-storey towers, displacing thousands of residents and trapping many inside.
Video courtesy of South China Morning Post
According to authorities, at least 55 people have died, and over 200 remain missing, though the figures are still increasingly fluid amid ongoing rescue efforts. The complex is home to about 4,800 people across roughly 2,000 flats, many of whom are elderly.
Firefighters described harrowing conditions as bamboo scaffolding and green external netting, used during renovation, dramatically accelerated the fire’s spread. Windy conditions and flammable materials reportedly turned the buildings into infernos within minutes. One firefighter was among the deceased.
Officials confirmed that three men — two construction-company directors and an engineering consultant — were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the blaze. Police allege the rapid spread of the fire was linked to unsafe scaffolding, flammable materials, and negligent renovation work.
In a news conference, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee called the fire a “major disaster” and outlined the city’s priorities: extinguish the blaze, rescue residents, treat the injured, and launch a full investigation.
Shelters have been established nearby to accommodate more than 900 displaced residents. Local transport authorities closed key road sections around the site, and nearby bus routes were diverted.
Residents described chaotic scenes of flames consuming exterior scaffolding, collapsing debris, and thick black smoke, making upper floors inaccessible. One 71-year-old resident wept as he said his wife was still unaccounted for.
The incident has ignited fresh scrutiny of Hong Kong’s frequent use of bamboo scaffolding. This cultural and economic practice critics say poses a fire risk, especially when paired with non-fire-retardant mesh and plastic nets.
Internationally, the tragedy has drawn comparisons to other major high-rise fires: as one expert commented, “this resembles a horror-movie scenario where exterior scaffolding becomes the fuel.”
The upcoming legislative elections in Hong Kong, scheduled for early December, may see their campaigning postponed or cancelled in deference to the disaster.
As rescue crews continue searching for survivors in the remaining towers, investigators are poring over construction documentation, scaffolding records, and material supply chains. The city promises accountability. In the words of a police superintendent: “We have reason to believe the responsible parties were grossly negligent.”
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