1 hour ago
Last Updated:November 27, 2025, 07:06 IST
At least 44 people have died and nearly 300 are missing after a massive fire ripped through Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court complex. Some arrests have also been made.
Firefighters spray water on flames as a major fire burns through several apartment blocks at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district (Photo: AFP)
The death toll in the massive fire that tore through the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Hong Kong has increased to 44, while nearly 300 others remain unaccounted for, prompting authorities to arrest three senior members of a construction company for suspected manslaughter.
Reuters quoted the police as saying that early indications suggest the blaze spread rapidly due to unsafe scaffolding materials and foam installations used during ongoing renovation work.
Firefighters battled through the night to reach residents feared trapped on the upper floors of the vast housing complex in Tai Po, a northern district home to thousands.
The fire erupted on Wednesday afternoon and raged for more than 15 hours across multiple 32-storey towers, with flames still visible and thick smoke pouring from several blocks well into Thursday morning.
Authorities said four of the affected blocks had been brought partially under control, but operations continued in three others where conditions remained extremely hazardous.
Police officials revealed that the buildings were wrapped in green construction mesh and plastic sheeting that may not have met fire-safety standards.
Investigators also found windows sealed with foam material in one of the unaffected blocks, an installation allegedly carried out by the renovation firm now under scrutiny.
The report quoted Hong Kong Police Superintendent Eileen Chung as saying that officers believe the company acted with “gross negligence," allowing the fire to spread uncontrollably and causing a catastrophic loss of life.
Two directors and an engineering consultant from the firm have been detained.
Among the dead is a firefighter, and at least 45 people are in critical condition.
The tragedy marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since World War II, surpassing the fatal 1996 Kowloon commercial building blaze that killed 41.
The scale of destruction has drawn comparisons to London’s Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017, where flammable cladding and regulatory failures contributed to 72 deaths.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the government’s immediate focus is on extinguishing the remaining fires and rescuing those still trapped.
China’s President Xi Jinping, monitoring developments from Beijing, called for an “all-out effort" to bring the blaze under control and minimise casualties, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The fire has also caused significant citywide disruption. Dozens of roads were sealed off, 39 bus routes rerouted, and at least six schools announced closures due to blocked access and heavy congestion.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
First Published:
November 27, 2025, 07:06 IST
News world Hong Kong High-Rise Blaze Kills 44, Hundreds Remain Missing; 3 Arrested For Suspected Manslaughter
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