Devastating Blaze Engulfs Hong Kong Housing Estate, Leaving Dozens Dead and Hundreds Missing

A catastrophic fire has ripped through multiple high-rise residential blocks in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in at least 36 confirmed deaths and 279 people reported missing, according to Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee. The ferocious blaze, which erupted on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Wang Fuk Court, has been described as one of the deadliest in the city's recent history.

The inferno rapidly spread across the bamboo scaffolding and green netting encasing the buildings, which were undergoing repairs. Authorities are currently investigating the cause, with initial theories pointing to the poor fire retardance of the scaffolding materials and alleged worker smoking, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Chief Executive John Lee confirmed the grim toll in an early Thursday morning press conference, adding that 29 individuals remain hospitalized, with seven in critical condition. One firefighter was tragically among those who lost their lives battling the massive No. 5 alarm fire, the highest emergency rating in Hong Kong.

The Wang Fuk Court complex, a 41-year-old subsidized housing estate, comprises eight 31-story towers housing approximately 4,800 residents in nearly 2,000 units. The rapid escalation of the fire, engulfing at least four buildings before extending to the entire estate, has raised serious questions about construction site safety, as noted by Wikipedia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his condolences and urged "all-out efforts" to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties and losses, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Hong Kong's Security Secretary Chris Tang commented that the rate of spread was "unusual" if proper materials had been in place, as reported by wikipedia.

Emergency services deployed a massive response, including 128 firetrucks, 57 ambulances, and 767 firefighters, with over 1,000 residents evacuated to temporary shelters. The Transport Department closed roads, and the Education Bureau suspended classes at six schools to ease congestion for rescue operations, RNZ News reported.

• Historical Context and Severity: This devastating incident marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since the 1996 Garley Building fire, which claimed 41 lives, according to rnz News. The Garley Building fire led to significant revisions in building regulations to prevent similar disasters, as detailed by Wikipedia. The current blaze, classified as a No. 5 alarm fire, highlights a critical failure in fire safety measures for ongoing construction projects.

• Role of Bamboo Scaffolding: The widespread use of bamboo scaffolding, a common sight in Hong Kong construction, is under intense scrutiny. The government had already initiated a phase-out of bamboo scaffolding for public works in March 2025 due to safety concerns, particularly its high combustibility, The Washington Post reported. The rapid spread of flames across the external bamboo structures at Wang Fuk Court underscores these long-standing safety issues.

• Government Response and Investigation: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has activated the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre and chaired an interdepartmental meeting to coordinate the response. A dedicated task force involving police and the Fire Services Department has been established to investigate the fire's cause, with criminal probes expected, according to kosu. The Buildings Department had previously issued warnings about flame-retardant standards for safety nets, as reported by The Standard.

• Impact on Residents and Community: The fire has forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the densely populated Wang Fuk Court, a complex of eight blocks with nearly 2,000 apartments. Temporary shelters have been opened in community halls and schools, with many residents expressing profound grief and concern for trapped loved ones, as noted by The Guardian. The incident may also heighten social discontent over housing and renovation costs, The Straits Times suggested.

• Challenges for Firefighters: Firefighters faced extreme challenges due to the intense heat and the difficulty of accessing upper floors, RNZ News reported. The falling debris and scaffolding from the burning buildings posed additional risks to emergency personnel, according to The Washington Post. The Fire Services Department noted that conditions remained very challenging late into the night, pbs reported.

• Regulatory Context and Future Steps: The Buildings Department had issued a statement in October 2025, urging enhanced flame-retardant standards for protective materials on construction sites, referencing guidelines like the Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings 2011. This tragedy will likely accelerate the government's efforts to transition from bamboo to metal scaffolding and enforce stricter fire safety regulations across all construction projects, as suggested by The Washington Post.