Hong Kong residential towers inferno leaves 128 dead, including a firefighter. Rescue teams continue searching for victims as three days of mourning are declared.
A devastating fire broke out on Wednesday, engulfing multiple high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po area. The deadly blaze caused the death of 128 individuals, including a firefighter, with thick grey smoke billowing ominously as firefighters worked relentlessly to bring the fire under control.
Public broadcaster RTHK, citing police sources, reported that several residents remain trapped inside the burning buildings. Meanwhile, hundreds of victims are in critical condition with severe burns, highlighting the intensity of the inferno.
Emergency Services Face Major Challenges
Firefighters also sustained injuries while battling the flames that swept through the 31-story towers. Witnesses described horrifying scenes of smoke rising skyward and flames consuming bamboo scaffolding wrapped around several towers.
According to reporters at the scene, scores of fire engines and ambulances lined the streets below Wang Fuk Court, the residential estate affected by the fire. The Fire Service Department confirmed they have yet to determine how many people may still be inside the complex.
Fire Origin and Alert Level
Initial reports state the fire was first reported at 2:51 p.m. local time (06:51 GMT) on Wednesday (November 26, 2025). The situation escalated quickly, leading to the fire being raised to a No. 4 alarm, the second-highest level, by 3:34 p.m.
Wang Fuk Court consists of eight residential blocks housing around 2,000 units. Notably, many of the towers had bamboo scaffolding installed on their exteriors. Hong Kong remains one of the few places globally where bamboo scaffolding is actively used in construction and maintenance.
Community Witnesses Horror, Grief
People gathered on a nearby pedestrian walkway watched with shock as smoke poured from the towers, many covered with fragile bamboo scaffolding used for repairs. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and heartbreaking, with fire trucks and ambulances lined up beneath the estate as firefighters risked their lives inside.
Online comments describe the fire as devastating, with many hoping for a swift, safe rescue for anyone still inside. Some voiced frustration over the continued use of bamboo scaffolding, linking it to rapid fire spread.
One local remarked:
“This is devastating for me and has impacted my whole life.”
Another expressed condolences to the victims and praised the firefighters’ bravery.
Transport Impacts and Public Safety Measures
The Transport Department announced the complete closure of a section of the Tai Po highway, one of the city’s major thoroughfares, resulting in bus route diversions. This move aims to facilitate emergency operations and ensure public safety.
In response to the crisis, the Hong Kong government set up temporary shelters at Kwong Fuk Community Hall and the Tung Cheong Street Leisure Building.
Additionally, a help desk at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and a dedicated hotline (2658 4040) have been established to support affected residents and address public inquiries. The Tai Po District Office is actively monitoring the situation and will open more shelters if needed.
Firefighter Among Fatalities
Among the dead is a firefighter who succumbed while fighting the blaze. The Fire Service Department confirmed one of the victims is a firefighter who lost his life battling the blaze.
This tragic loss conveys the sobering reminder of the peril frontline responders face to protect the community during such fatal incidents. Despite sustaining injuries themselves, these courageous men and women showed unwavering resolve to contain the fire.
Latest Developments
As of now, 128 confirmed fatalities, including a firefighter and two Indonesian domestic workers. Hundreds of people remain in the hospital with injuries, while families continue to wait anxiously for word on missing loved ones. Authorities have not updated the number of those unaccounted for, which stood at more than 250 earlier on Thursday.
The tragedy unfolded within a massive complex of eight 32-storey towers undergoing renovation, home to roughly 4,800 residents across about 2,000 flats. Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Chan said crews had finally managed to reach the remaining burning units, with full extinguishment expected by 9 am on Friday, but noted that extreme heat, falling debris, damaged scaffolding, and darkness severely hampered operations.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities noted that flammable materials on the buildings’ exterior, including polystyrene cladding and plastic scaffolding netting, allowed the fire to spread rapidly between blocks.
Eight individuals have been arrested on suspicion of corruption linked to the renovation work on the affected buildings. Three others were previously detained on manslaughter charges.
Hong Kong Observes Three Days of Mourning
Hong Kong officials held a moment of silence to mark the start of a three-day mourning period for victims of the city’s deadliest fire in nearly 80 years.
On Saturday morning, a ceremony outside government headquarters saw city leader John Lee and other officials observe three minutes of silence. Flags of China and Hong Kong were flown at half-mast. Memorial points have also been set up across the city, allowing the public to pay their respects and sign condolence books.
Debate Over Construction Materials
The fire began in Wang Fuk Court, located in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district, and quickly spread to seven of the eight towers. It took more than 2,000 firefighters nearly two days to bring the blaze under control.
Authorities highlighted that bamboo scaffolding, commonly used in Hong Kong, contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The incident has reignited debate over the safety of using such materials in construction and renovation projects.
A Call for Safety and Resilience
Cameras captured dramatic footage and images of the smoke and flames engulfing Wang Fuk Court’s towers, highlighting the seriousness of the event. These visuals serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced fire safety protocols in densely populated urban areas.
This tragic event shows the vulnerability of tightly packed urban housing and the urgent need for enhanced fire safety measures. The resilience and compassion shown by Hong Kong’s community and emergency teams offer a powerful testament to human strength in crisis.
