Hong Kong is reeling from one of the deadliest fire disasters in its recent history after a massive blaze tore through a high-rise residential complex in Tai Po, killing at least 36 people and leaving nearly 300 more unaccounted for. The fire, which erupted on Wednesday afternoon, engulfed multiple buildings within the Wang Fuk Court estate, a densely populated development built in the 1980s and home to thousands of residents.
Authorities confirmed that the blaze started at 2:51 p.m. local time, rapidly spreading across the towers—fuelled by bamboo scaffolding and green construction netting surrounding the structures as part of ongoing renovation works. Witnesses described an inferno that moved with terrifying speed, trapping residents inside apartments and stairwells as smoke filled the buildings.
The intensity of the flames forced the Fire Services Department to issue a Level 5 alarm—the highest emergency classification in Hong Kong’s firefighting system.
“We are doing everything possible to locate the missing and support affected families during this extremely difficult time,” Chief Executive John Lee said in a late-night briefing. “This tragedy is unprecedented in scale, and the full resources of the government have been mobilised.”
He confirmed that 29 victims were still being treated in hospital, several in serious or critical condition. The official death toll rose steadily into the evening as firefighters combed through charred apartments and smoke-clogged corridors.
Firefighters Confront Extreme Conditions
Senior fire officials described the operation as one of the toughest the city has faced in years. High temperatures, rapidly shifting smoke patterns, and strong winds complicated rescue efforts, while sections of bamboo scaffolding collapsed around emergency teams.
“Our crews were battling not only aggressive flames but also falling structures and blinding smoke,” a senior fire officer said. “The conditions were extremely dangerous.”
Tragically, one firefighter died while attempting to reach trapped residents, and several others sustained injuries during the operation.
Hundreds Evacuated as Panic Spreads
As the fire raged, nearly 900 residents were evacuated from the estate. Many fled with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Ms. Lau, who escaped from the 22nd floor, described scenes of terror:
“The smoke was so thick you couldn’t see your own hands. People were screaming from their windows. We didn’t know if we would survive.”
Another resident, Mr. Chan, recounted how the flames surged upward through the scaffolding “like a giant torch.”
“I grabbed my elderly mother and we ran,” he said. “The stairwell was full of smoke, but staying inside felt even more dangerous.”
The scale of the disaster has revived public concern over fire safety protocols in ageing residential blocks—many of which rely on bamboo scaffolding during renovation. Although traditional and widely used in construction, bamboo structures have been criticised for their susceptibility to rapid combustion under intense heat.
A Stark Reminder of Past Tragedies
The Tai Po inferno is the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1996, when 41 lives were lost in a blaze that swept through a commercial building in Kowloon. That tragedy led to sweeping reforms in building safety standards, yet Wednesday’s fire has prompted fresh questions about enforcement, especially during renovation projects.
Experts warn that bamboo scaffolding—though cost-effective and deeply rooted in tradition—poses serious risks when used on high-rise towers undergoing refurbishment. Authorities had previously indicated plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding for major government projects, but private buildings have long remained exempt from those restrictions.
Residents and lawmakers alike are now calling for a comprehensive review of building safety regulations, particularly regarding fireproofing measures, evacuation planning, and scaffolding oversight.
Cause of Fire Under Investigation
As emergency crews continued to extinguish lingering hotspots late into the night, officials warned that the number of casualties and missing persons could rise. Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, though initial assessments suggest that renovation materials may have contributed to the rapid acceleration of the blaze.
Chief Executive Lee pledged a full inquiry into the incident and assured residents that support services—including temporary housing, counselling, and financial assistance—would be made available.
“We must uncover exactly what happened, why it spread so fast, and what additional measures are needed to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again,” he said.
A City in Mourning
As Hong Kong wakes to one of the darkest chapters in its recent history, families continue to search for missing loved ones, and rescue workers press on with their painstaking efforts through the burnt-out corridors of Wang Fuk Court.
What began as an ordinary weekday afternoon has ended in a catastrophe that has shaken the entire city—a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within high-density urban living, and the need for constant vigilance in safeguarding the lives of residents.
