Firefighters in Hong Kong are battling for a second day against a massive blaze that engulfed the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, made up of eight high-rise buildings. According to the latest reports, the death toll has risen to 55, with around 280 people still missing. The fire is already being called the deadliest residential blaze in Hong Kong’s history.
The fire in the Tai Po district residential complex—assigned the highest, fifth-level danger rating—broke out on the afternoon of November 26. Within 24 hours, the flames had nearly destroyed seven of the complex’s eight 31-story towers. The fire spread rapidly through bamboo construction scaffolding wrapped in green protective mesh; the complex, built in the 1980s, was undergoing major renovations at the time.
Wang Fuk Court contains nearly 2,000 apartments, home to about 4,800 residents. According to the latest updates, 55 people are confirmed dead, including one firefighter, and 279 are listed as missing. Around 900 residents are now in temporary shelters—left homeless overnight, with many staying with relatives or friends.
Police have already arrested three employees of the construction company responsible for the renovation. They are suspected of involuntary manslaughter and gross negligence. Preliminary findings suggest that protective netting, tarps, and plastic sheeting used during the renovation may not have met fire safety standards. In addition, flammable foam materials inside the buildings accelerated the spread of the blaze. The exact cause, however, has not yet been determined.
The Wang Fuk Court fire is now the deadliest residential fire Hong Kong has ever seen. Previously, the worst was the 1996 Garley Building fire, caused by welding work conducted in violation of safety rules. That incident killed 41 people and injured 81.
Some residents were trapped inside the buildings. By the time firefighters arrived, several towers were already engulfed in flames.
Eyewitnesses claim firefighters arrived too late and that helicopters were not used to fight the fire.
Fire crews are battling the flames from at least four high-reach ladder trucks. The blaze has been burning for more than 24 hours
According to the latest (but still incomplete) figures, 76 people are in the hospital—15 in critical condition and 28 in serious condition. Up to 60 people may still be trapped inside the buildings.
Hong Kong authorities have ordered inspections of all government-owned residential complexes currently undergoing major renovations.
Four of the seven burning buildings are now under control, but fires are still visible on the upper floors of the remaining three.
