In the afternoon of 26 November 2025, a massive fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate — a housing complex in Tai Po District The fire reportedly began at around 14:50 HKT, originating on the external scaffolding of one of the towers under renovation. The building exteriors were draped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh netting, materials commonly used during maintenance — and sadly, highly flammable
Once the exterior scaffolding caught fire, flames leaped up the building’s outer skin — then spread inside and to neighboring towers, igniting a chain reaction across the estate. The fire escalated rapidly: what began as a small incident was soon classified as a Level 5 alarm fire, the highest severity, as more buildings became involved At the time of reporting, at least four of the eight high-rise buildings in the complex had been severely impacted
Why it’s especially alarming
This blaze is being described as the deadliest fire Hong Kong has experienced in decades — surpassing previous major fires such as the 1996 Garley Building fire. The use of traditional bamboo scaffolding, still common in Hong Kong, is under renewed scrutiny — showing how older construction practices remain a fire safety risk, especially when used in dense, high-rise living environments.
Casualties, damage & current status
The confirmed death toll is at least 44 people, making this the deadliest peacetime fire in Hong Kong in decades Over 60 people injured, many in critical condition; and authorities report 279 individuals missing. Among the dead was a firefighter — underlining the danger involved in rescue efforts Firefighters from multiple units responded — but rescue was complicated by intense heat, falling debris, and rapid fire spread across towers. Some towers reportedly remained inaccessible even many hours after the blaze began
Investigation & Contributing Factors
The fire spread is believed to have been dramatically accelerated by flammable bamboo scaffolding and external materials (mesh, protective netting, possibly polystyrene or other combustible materials) used during renovation Police have arrested three men (two company directors and one consultant) on suspicion of manslaughter due to “gross negligence,” suggesting potential oversight or safety-compliance failures in renovation practices
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happening now & What to watch
Rescue efforts are ongoing; many people remain missing, and authorities continue to search for survivors A formal investigation has been launched by police and fire authorities into safety violations, responsibility for the renovations, and how building-code or fire-safety regulations may have been violated The tragedy has reignited public debate over building safety standards in Hong Kong, particularly around renovation practices, scaffolding/fire-resistance norms, and oversight in dense residential districts.
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