A catastrophic fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has claimed the lives of at least 44 people, with hundreds still unaccounted for, in one of the city’s deadliest tragedies in nearly two decades. The blaze erupted on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, engulfing several high-rise buildings and forcing a massive emergency response.
The fire broke out at around 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT) and rapidly intensified, prompting authorities to classify it as a level-five fire — Hong Kong’s highest severity rating — just three hours later. More than 760 firefighters were deployed as thick smoke and towering flames dominated the skyline.
Local police have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter, citing gross negligence linked to ongoing renovation works at the 1983-built housing estate. Early observations revealed non-fireproof materials including mesh, plastic sheeting and Styrofoam on the buildings’ exteriors and windows. Authorities believe these materials may have accelerated the fire’s spread.
The scale of the incident is staggering. Police report that 279 residents are still missing, while hospitals across several districts are treating dozens of survivors, 45 of whom are in serious condition. Among the victims was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who was discovered collapsed after losing contact during rescue efforts.
Emergency crews have faced extreme challenges as they battle the inferno. Intense heat, falling debris and reduced visibility have slowed their progress, with Deputy Director of Fire Services Derek Armstrong Chan warning that conditions remain too dangerous to predict when the fire will be fully contained.
Residents described scenes of chaos, claiming fire alarms failed to sound and lifts stopped working, leaving many — including elderly occupants — trapped. Explosions were also reported from inside the 31-storey towers, complicating rescue operations as firefighters struggled to reach the upper floors.
Large sections of Tai Po have been evacuated, with multiple shelters opened to assist displaced families. Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed condolences and urged authorities to spare no effort in minimizing further losses.
This is Hong Kong’s first level-five fire since 2007’s Cornwall Court blaze, which killed four people. Investigations into the cause of the latest tragedy are ongoing
