Blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po becomes deadliest in decades — police detain construction-firm executives for alleged manslaughter amid safety-scandal probe.
Tragedy Widens: Deaths, Missing Persons and Arrests
- The fire that broke out on November 26, 2025 at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate has now claimed at least 44 lives, including a firefighter, making it one of the worst residential fires in Hong Kong’s recent history.
- Around 279 people remain unaccounted for, according to official figures — many potentially trapped inside or evacuated.
- Authorities have arrested three men — two directors and one consultant of the construction company responsible for the renovation — on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence.
How the Fire Spread: Renovation, Scaffolding and Flammable Materials
- The estate was undergoing renovation and was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and flammable mesh/netting, which fire officials blame for the rapid spread of flames across multiple towers.
- Investigators found non–fire-resistant materials — including Styrofoam boards near lift lobbies — that may have accelerated the blaze, allowing it to jump between floors and buildings with alarming speed.
- The fire was classified a “Level 5” alarm — the highest fire severity — reflecting the scale, spread, and danger of the blaze.
Rescue & Evacuation: Massive Response Underway
- More than 128 fire engines and over 700 firefighters were dispatched; rescue operations continued overnight as crews battled intense heat, thick smoke, and structural hazards.
- Roughly 900 residents have been evacuated and placed in temporary shelters. Many families remain displaced, awaiting word on missing loved ones.
- Fire-rescue teams continue a painstaking search across multiple blocks — some still smoldering — to find survivors and recover bodies.
Broader Fallout: Safety, Legal Action & Public Outcry
- The arrests and allegations of “gross negligence” have triggered an official investigation. Authorities suspect the fire resulted from safety violations and substandard materials supplied during renovation.
- The disaster has reignited criticism of renovation practices, building-safety norms, and the widespread use of bamboo scaffolding — once common, but increasingly contested for fire-safety reasons.
- Public anger is growing over regulatory oversight and the risks posed to tens of thousands living in high-density housing estates. Calls for reform and accountability are mounting.
What Happens Next: Rescue, Investigation, Recovery
- Authorities are intensifying rescue operations and search-and-rescue efforts to locate missing residents and survivors.
- An investigation into the materials used and responsibility for negligence is underway; the arrested individuals may face manslaughter charges.
- Government and community agencies are preparing support for victims and displaced residents, including temporary housing, medical aid, and counselling.
- The tragedy may lead to tighter regulation of building renovations and scaffolding standards — to prevent such disasters in future.
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