Hong Kong is grappling with its most catastrophic fire incident in over seven decades, with the death toll now standing at 128 individuals. The inferno, which erupted in the northern suburb of Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court residential complex, has also left 79 people injured while dozens remain unaccounted for.
The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday afternoon at 14:51 local time, rapidly escalating into a Category 5 blaze—the highest emergency rating—within hours. The conflagration spread with terrifying speed across seven of the eight high-rise apartment blocks, propelled by highly flammable Styrofoam insulation and construction netting that covered the buildings’ exteriors during ongoing renovations.
Firefighting efforts reached unprecedented scale, with 2,311 emergency personnel deployed to combat flames that reached peak temperatures of 500°C (932°F). The extreme heat caused repeated reignitions even after areas were doused, complicating rescue operations. The fire was officially declared extinguished at 10:18 local time on Friday, though smoldering debris continued to pose challenges.
Among the victims was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who collapsed at the scene after losing contact with his team. Twelve additional firefighters sustained injuries during the grueling 40-hour operation. The tragedy also claimed the lives of at least two Indonesian migrant workers, with many foreign nationals among those still missing.
Authorities have arrested three renovation supervisors on manslaughter charges and launched a corruption investigation amid growing public outrage. Preliminary findings reveal that fire alarms across all eight buildings were non-functional during the emergency, with reports suggesting construction workers had deactivated them. Residents’ previous complaints about questionable renovation practices and non-compliant materials have gained renewed attention across social media platforms.
The Wang Fuk Court estate, constructed in 1983, housed approximately 4,600 residents across 1,984 apartments, with nearly 40% of occupants aged 65 or older. The community represents one of Hong Kong’s subsidized housing developments, home to many long-term residents since its establishment.
This tragedy now stands as Hong Kong’s second-deadliest fire incident, surpassed only by the 1948 warehouse explosion that claimed 176 lives. Police evidence collection teams began their thorough examination of the disaster site on Friday, with a comprehensive investigation expected to span the next three to four weeks.