Hong Kong authorities have made significant arrests in connection with the catastrophic fire that engulfed the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, marking the city’s most devastating blaze since 1948. Police have taken into custody two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction, the firm contracted for maintenance work, on suspicion of manslaughter due to alleged gross negligence in using unsafe materials.
The inferno, which tore through the northern Tai Po district complex wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh, has claimed at least 83 lives with approximately 300 individuals still unaccounted for. Firefighters battled intense heat and thick smoke for over 24 hours before largely containing the blaze, with officials anticipating complete extinguishment by Friday evening.
Rescue operations revealed harrowing scenes as distraught families searched for missing relatives outside emergency shelters housing 900 displaced residents. “They didn’t have water to save our building,” wept one 52-year-old woman identified only as Ng, clutching her daughter’s graduation photo while awaiting news of her family’s fate.
The tragedy has triggered a massive response across societal and political spheres. Hong Kong leader John Lee announced a HK$300 million ($39 million) relief fund, while major corporations including Xiaomi, Xpeng, Geely, and foundations linked to Alibaba’s Jack Ma and Tencent pledged substantial donations. Pope Leo expressed spiritual solidarity through a telegram to Hong Kong’s bishop, while Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to minimize casualties.
Authorities seized critical evidence including bidding documents, employee records, and electronic devices during raids on Prestige Construction’s offices. The development bureau has initiated discussions about replacing traditional bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives as a safety measure, responding to concerns about the flammable foam material found sealing windows in unaffected buildings.
The densely-packed complex, home to over 4,600 residents through Hong Kong’s subsidized home ownership scheme, represents the acute affordable housing challenges facing the financial hub. The tragedy has drawn comparisons to London’s 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster, raising serious questions about construction safety standards in high-density urban environments.