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A Catastrophic Blaze That Engulfed an Entire Housing Complex

A massive fire that erupted Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong has claimed at least 44 lives, with nearly 300 residents still missing as emergency workers continue rescue operations. The blaze, which authorities say may have spread rapidly due to unsafe construction materials and non-compliant renovation work, remains partially active across several towers of the tightly packed residential estate in Tai Po.

Firefighters battled through intense heat, collapsing scaffolding, and thick plumes of smoke overnight as they attempted to reach residents believed to be trapped on higher floors of the 32-storey apartment blocks. The complex, which houses more than 4,600 people across 2,000 units, is located in one of Hong Kong’s most densely populated districts and has long been part of the city’s subsidised housing scheme.

By early Thursday, the blaze had been brought under control in four of the eight blocks, though fires continued burning in three others, according to emergency officials.

Unsafe Scaffolding and Faulty Materials Under Investigation

Authorities now believe the fire’s rapid spread was worsened by hazardous materials used during ongoing renovation works. Police revealed that several towers were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green construction mesh, both of which are currently being phased out due to safety concerns. In addition, investigators found that some windows on an adjacent building had been sealed with foam insulation, a material that may not meet Hong Kong’s fire standards.

Police superintendent Eileen Chung stated that there is “reason to believe” the construction company responsible for the renovation work demonstrated “gross negligence” that directly contributed to the scale of destruction. Three individuals from the company, including two directors and an engineering consultant, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

The incident marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1948, surpassing decades of safety reforms and raising urgent questions about construction oversight and regulatory enforcement.

Emergency Response and a Community in Mourning

Among the 44 people killed, one was a firefighter, according to police. Another 45 residents remain in critical condition. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee emphasized that emergency crews are prioritizing rescue operations, medical support, and family assistance.

More than 900 residents have taken shelter in temporary relief centres, while 279 remain uncontactable, intensifying anxiety across the community. Hong Kong’s Education Bureau has suspended classes at six local schools, and the Transport Department has rerouted 39 bus lines due to heavy congestion and ongoing rescue activity.

From mainland China, President Xi Jinping urged an “all-out effort” to extinguish the fire and minimize losses, underscoring the severity of the tragedy.

Scenes of Desperation and Families Searching for Loved Ones

Heartbreaking scenes unfolded across shelters and the streets surrounding the complex. A mother, Ms. Ng, clutched her daughter’s graduation photo as she searched for both her daughter and husband. Long-time resident Harry Cheung, 66, described hearing a loud crash at 2:45 p.m. before flames engulfed a nearby block. “I packed whatever I could and ran,” he said, unsure where he would sleep that night.

Online platforms have become a makeshift missing-persons network. A community-run app linked to a public Google document lists residents from each tower and unit. Entries include brief but devastating descriptions such as “Mother-in-law in her 70s missing,” “Boy and girl missing,” and “27th floor, room 1: He is dead.” The submissions, while unverified, reflect the scale of confusion and despair.

Public Outrage Grows Over Safety Lapses

Residents have taken to social media to express anger at what many see as systemic negligence and cost-cutting by contractors. One widely circulated video showed construction workers smoking on bamboo scaffolding during renovation, igniting further criticism about lax oversight and unsafe working conditions.

Recent safety reform efforts now appear insufficient. Hong Kong began phasing out bamboo scaffolding in March after 22 scaffold-related worker deaths between 2019 and 2024, with plans for at least half of public construction projects to switch to metal frameworks. Although fire risk was not originally cited as a reason for the phase-out, advocacy groups have documented at least three scaffolding-related fires this year alone.

A Disaster with Political and Social Implications

The tragedy has struck a city already grappling with housing shortages, soaring property prices, and heightened political tension ahead of legislative elections in December. The Wang Fuk Court complex, located in Tai Po near the mainland border, has been home to families for over 40 years under Hong Kong’s subsidised home-ownership programme.

The buildings have been undergoing substantial renovation for the past year at a cost of HK$330 million, with individual units paying between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000 for upgrades. Now, residents are questioning whether the renovation process — meant to improve safety and structural integrity — may instead have contributed to the city’s worst housing disaster in generations.

A City Still Burning, and a Community Waiting for Answers

As firefighters continue their search and rescue efforts, Hong Kong faces a long road of investigation, accountability, and rebuilding. What began as a routine renovation project has turned into a national tragedy, exposing severe weaknesses in safety regulation, oversight, and contractor responsibility.

With families still searching for loved ones and entire towers reduced to smoking shells, the city is confronted with one urgent question: how could such a preventable disaster occur in one of the world’s most advanced urban centres?