A catastrophic fire that tore through multiple residential towers in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has claimed at least 44 lives, with 279 people still unaccounted for, officials confirmed early Thursday. The blaze, which began on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court public housing estate, has become one of the deadliest urban fires in the city’s recent history.
The fire erupted around 14:51 local time and spread with alarming speed across several buildings wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and plastic sheeting due to ongoing renovation works. More than 800 firefighters were deployed overnight, but dangerous conditions—including collapsing scaffolding, intense heat, and poor visibility—hindered rescue operations.
Authorities say the fire’s rapid spread was “unusual,” prompting an immediate investigation. Police announced the arrest of three construction company executives—two directors and an engineering consultant—on suspicion of manslaughter. They are believed to have approved or installed flammable materials, including mesh, Styrofoam panels, and plastic coverings that may have helped the flames climb the building exteriors.
Police stated that these materials were “not fireproof” and may have allowed the fire to travel vertically through the scaffolding and jump between towers.
Residents say the disaster was foreseen.
Kiko Ma, a homeowner at Wang Fuk Court, told the BBC her windows had been sealed for more than a year during renovation, and some fire alarms had been turned off. “People kept asking what would happen if there was a fire,” she said. “This was preventable. A lot of people did not do their duties.”
In addition to the 44 confirmed dead, 45 people are in critical condition in hospital. Officials warn the numbers may rise as emergency crews continue searching upper floors still engulfed in smoke.
At least 900 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters. Community centers and local schools have been transformed into aid stations filled with water, food, blankets, and emotional support staff, including educational psychologists to assist displaced children.
Drone footage from dawn showed thick smoke still pouring from the towers, even as firefighters sprayed the charred buildings from multiple angles. Four of the eight affected buildings are now under control, but active flames remain in others.
Witnesses described terrifying moments as smoke filled hallways and falling debris blocked exits. Some survived by sheltering in bathrooms with wet towels pressed to their faces; others watched helplessly from the streets as their homes burned through the night.
An 82-year-old resident, Ms. Wu, refused to leave, instead watching the blaze from a nearby platform. “I would only be at peace when the fire calmed down,” she said. Many residents who lived in the estate for decades returned at sunrise to check on their homes or search for missing relatives.
The tragedy has prompted swift reactions locally and abroad. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee suspended all campaigning for the upcoming Legislative Council election, saying the government’s focus must remain on rescue and relief efforts.
Condolences have poured in from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan, whose officials expressed sympathy for victims and families. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered authorities to support Hong Kong in conducting “all-out rescue operations.”
Officials expect it will take the entire day to fully extinguish the fire. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department says temperatures remain dangerously high inside the towers, making the upper floors extremely difficult to access.
This is the first level-five fire alarm—Hong Kong’s most serious classification—in 17 years. Residents and authorities alike are now demanding answers about the renovation practices, the materials used, and whether oversight failures contributed to one of the city’s most devastating tragedies.
As rescue workers continue searching the towers, dozens of families wait anxiously at shelters and barricaded streets, hoping for news of the 279 people still missing.
