Tai Po, Hong Kong – November 28, 2025 – The death toll from a devastating fire that ravaged the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has climbed to 128 as of Friday, marking the city's deadliest inferno in over six decades. Authorities announced that the blaze, which erupted on Wednesday and engulfed seven of the estate's eight high-rise towers, has been fully contained after more than 48 hours of relentless firefighting efforts. Rescue operations continue amid the charred ruins, with officials warning that the final count could rise further as teams sift through the debris.
The fire, which broke out around 2:51 p.m. local time on November 26, rapidly spread through the densely packed complex housing approximately 4,600 residents across more than 1,900 apartments. Among the confirmed fatalities is at least one firefighter, a stark reminder of the heroism displayed by emergency responders. Additionally, 79 individuals have been hospitalized with injuries, including 11 fellow firefighters who battled the flames under extreme conditions.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung addressed a somber press conference late Thursday, confirming the toll had surpassed 100 and now stood at 128. "This is a profound loss for our community," Tang stated, his voice heavy with grief. He cautioned that the number could increase, as authorities have received 467 reports of missing persons, with around 200 individuals still in "uncertain situations." This includes 80 bodies that remain unidentified due to the fire's intensity, which charred remains beyond immediate recognition. Earlier reports indicated that as many as 280 people were unaccounted for in the immediate aftermath, a figure that has fluctuated as frantic searches yielded both grim discoveries and rare miracles, such as the rescue of a male survivor from the 16th floor of Wang Tai House on Thursday evening.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, visibly moved during his own briefing, declared the fires in all affected blocks under control by late Wednesday evening. "Our hearts ache for every family shattered by this disaster," Lee said, extending condolences to victims' loved ones and vowing a thorough investigation. In response, he convened an emergency Cabinet meeting to streamline relief efforts and established a HK$300 million (approximately US$38.5 million) emergency fund to aid displaced residents with immediate needs like temporary housing, medical care, and psychological support.
The blaze's ferocity stemmed from a confluence of factors tied to ongoing renovation work at the estate. Wang Fuk Court, a subsidized public housing development built in the 1980s under the government's Home Ownership Scheme, was in the midst of a major HK$330 million refurbishment project. Bamboo scaffolding, a common construction element in Hong Kong, had been erected across multiple towers for facade repairs. However, investigators now believe that combustible materials — including foam plastic insulation on windows, non-flame-retardant netting around the scaffolding, and waterproof tarpaulins — acted as accelerants, propelling flames upward at an alarming rate.
Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung Lai-yee of the Fire Services Department described the spread as "unusual and catastrophic," noting that flames surged 32 stories in just five minutes, leaving residents mere minutes to evacuate. Building expert Xinyan Huang from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University explained that safe evacuation from such heights typically requires 10 to 20 minutes — time that was catastrophically unavailable. Secretary Tang elaborated: "Initial probes reveal that the foam insulation on walls, combined with the scaffolding's coverings, caused the fire to propagate far faster than with compliant materials. This was gross negligence."
In a swift crackdown, police have detained two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, the firm overseeing the renovations, on suspicion of manslaughter. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has also launched a probe into potential graft related to the project, amid resident complaints about substandard work practices dating back months. Former district councillor Michael Mo, now residing in the UK, recounted how locals had raised alarms about the contractor's "shoddy behavior," including ignored safety queries forwarded to the Labour Department.
The emergency response was monumental in scale. For the first time since 2008, Hong Kong activated a Level 5 fire alarm, the highest tier on its five-level scale, mobilizing over 140 firefighting vehicles and more than 800 personnel from the Fire Services Department, police, and auxiliary units. An additional 1,000 police officers joined the two-day search for survivors, combing smoke-filled apartments with flashlights as acrid fumes lingered. The Transportation Department imposed road closures in the vicinity, snarling traffic in the northern New Territories suburb bordering mainland China. Nearby estates, including Kwong Fuk Estate, were evacuated as a precaution, displacing around 900 residents who are now sheltered in eight temporary facilities such as schools and community centers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping extended heartfelt condolences to the Hong Kong government, instructing the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing to provide comprehensive support for recovery efforts. Xi's message underscored the central government's solidarity, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of adversity. Chief Executive Lee, in turn, expressed "deep sorrow" over the casualties, pledging transparency in the probe and accelerated aid distribution.
As dawn broke over Tai Po on Friday, the scene at Wang Fuk Court was one of quiet devastation. Charred skeletons of towers loomed against the skyline, windows shattered and exteriors blackened like wounds on the urban fabric. Survivors, many in pajamas and clutching salvaged belongings, gathered at distribution points for donations of food, clothing, and blankets. One elderly resident, who had called the estate home since its inception, sat on a park bench with a foldable mattress, watching the smoldering ruins. "We built our lives here," she told reporters, tears streaming. "Now it's all ash."
This tragedy has ignited broader conversations about housing safety in Hong Kong, where soaring property prices force millions into high-density living. Experts warn that similar vulnerabilities — flammable renovations in aging estates — could recur without stringent reforms. Chief Executive Lee has ordered immediate inspections of all public housing undergoing major works, a move hailed by safety advocates but criticized by some as reactive. As families continue DNA identifications at makeshift centers, the city grapples with grief and resolve.
The road to recovery will be long, but Hong Kong's resilience, forged in fires literal and metaphorical, offers glimmers of hope amid the sorrow.
