Dozens Dead as Major Fire Ravages Hong Kong Residential Complex
A devastating fire tore through a densely packed residential complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday, leading to dozens of fatalities and leaving many more in a critical condition. The blaze, which began at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po, continued to burn into Thursday morning, with hundreds of residents still reported missing.
Rapid Spread and Rescue Challenges
The fire was first reported at 2.52pm on Wednesday at the Wang Cheong House within the Wang Fuk Court complex, located in the northern New Territories. Officials confirmed the fire started on the external scaffolding before spreading rapidly to seven of the eight 31-storey tower blocks in the complex, which is home to approximately 4,800 residents across nearly 2,000 apartments.
About 200 fire trucks and more than 100 ambulances were deployed to the scene. Firefighters working through the night faced extreme difficulties reaching the top floors where people were trapped, hampered by falling debris and intense heat. Tragically, a 37-year-old firefighter is among the dead.
The fire was able to spread quickly across the bamboo scaffolding and construction netting enveloping the buildings. Police noted that protective mesh sheets and plastic used in the ongoing maintenance did not meet fire standards, and windows on one building were sealed with foam material.
Aftermath and Official Response
By Thursday morning, the intensity of the blaze had lessened, but a number of apartments were still burning. City leader John Lee stated that more than 900 people had sought refuge at temporary shelters.
From the mainland, China’s leader Xi Jinping urged Hong Kong authorities to make every effort to extinguish the fire and offered sympathies to the victims and those affected. The incident has cast a renewed spotlight on the widespread use of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong, which the local government has been moving to phase out due to safety concerns following 22 deaths involving bamboo scaffolders between 2019 and 2024.
