Hong Kong High-Rise Blaze: 44 Dead, 279 Missing as Fire Engulfs Tai Po Residential Complex
Hong Kong high-rise building fire: Deadly Blaze Claims 44 Lives, Search On for Hundreds Missing: A massive fire ripped through a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, causing widespread devastation and plunging the city into shock and grief. According to the Hong Kong Fire Department, 44 people have been confirmed dead, while 279 residents are still missing following the inferno that spread rapidly through seven buildings of the Wang Fuk Court housing estate.
The blaze, which firefighters battled for several hours, forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Twenty-nine victims are hospitalized, and nearly 900 survivors have been relocated to temporary shelters set up across the New Territories.
Videos circulating on social media showed firefighters struggling against the towering flames. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee stated that a special police-fire services team has been formed to investigate the cause of the fire. He confirmed that although the flames were brought under control late at night, the damage was extensive. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and paid tribute to the firefighter who lost his life during the rescue operations.
How the Fire Started
The tragedy unfolded at Wang Fuk Court, a cluster of eight residential towers built in the 1980s and home to nearly 4,800 people—many of them elderly. The complex was undergoing extensive renovation, with bamboo scaffolding installed across the buildings.
Investigators believe the fire may have originated in one tower before spreading rapidly through the scaffolding to six adjacent buildings. Residents had little time to escape as the flames surged upward and across floors in minutes.
Why the Fire Spread So Rapidly
Deputy Director of Fire Services Operations Derek Armstrong Chan said temperatures were “extremely high,” making rescue operations difficult. He confirmed that firefighters were unable to reach some residents who had called for help due to the intense heat and collapsing materials.
Chan added that strong winds, falling debris, and possibly flammable exterior materials contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Authorities are now examining the renovation materials and building exteriors as part of the investigation.
Residents Caught Unaware
Many elderly residents did not realize a fire had broken out. A 65-year-old resident identified as Yuen told AFP that closed windows and ongoing maintenance work prevented residents from detecting the smoke early.
“Some people didn’t even know there was a fire until neighbors shouted at them to leave. I’m very sad—so many lives lost, even a firefighter,” he said.
Search for Missing Continues Late Into the Night
Hong Kong’s dense population and notoriously compact housing added to the challenges. According to police officials at temporary shelters, the number of missing persons remained unclear as residents continued reporting lost relatives well into the night.
At the time of reporting, parts of the building were still burning. Authorities confirmed that three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter as the investigation expands.
The city remains on edge as rescue teams continue searching for survivors and the full scale of the disaster becomes clear.
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