Massive fire at a residential estate in Tai Po district engulfs towers wrapped in bamboo scaffolding — dozens evacuated, rescue operations ongoing.
What Happened
- A devastating fire broke out on November 26, 2025, at Wang Fuk Court, a residential housing estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. The blaze spread rapidly across seven high‑rise apartment buildings.
- According to the city’s Fire Services Department, 13 people were killed — nine declared dead at the scene, and four others who were hospitalised later succumbed to injuries.
- At least 15 others are injured, and many residents remain unaccounted for, with reports of people still trapped inside engulfed buildings.
Why the Fire Spread So Fast
- The estate was undergoing renovation, and the exterior of the buildings was covered in bamboo scaffolding and construction netting — materials that caught fire easily and allowed flames to climb across blocks quickly.
- The fire escalated rapidly: authorities raised the alarm to No. 5 — the highest severity level — reflecting the scale and danger of the blaze as flames engulfed multiple 31‑storey towers.
Rescue Efforts & Aftermath
- Around 700 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters as dozens of fire‑engines and ambulances responded to the scene.
- Among those killed was a firefighter — a grim reminder of the risks rescue personnel face during such large‑scale emergencies.
- As night fell, firefighters continued battling the blaze; many residents remain unaccounted for, and authorities are still assessing the full extent of damage and casualties.
Broader Concerns: Scaffolding, Safety & Housing Risks
- The use of bamboo scaffolding and flammable construction netting, common in many Hong Kong renovation projects, has come under renewed scrutiny — especially following this tragedy where the scaffolding helped fuel the fire’s rapid spread.
- The affected housing estate — a subsidised public housing complex with nearly 4,800 residents across eight blocks — underscores the vulnerability of large densely occupied residential towers to fire hazards during renovation or maintenance works.
Ongoing Rescue and Investigation Efforts
- Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause and spread of the fire, including whether safety protocols were violated during the ongoing renovation work.
- Rescue operations and searches for missing residents continue amid efforts to provide temporary shelter, medical‑care, and support to displaced families.
- The tragedy has sparked calls for stricter regulation and oversight of renovation practices, especially concerning scaffolding and fire safety in high‑density residential estates across Hong Kong.
