Tragedy Strikes: Hong Kong Apartment Fires Claim 44 Lives as Investigation Unfolds

Fri Dec 05 2025 06:44:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A devastating fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court has resulted in at least 44 fatalities and over 270 missing, marking the city's deadliest fire in over six decades. Emergency services are on high alert as investigations continue into the cause and negligent practices linked to the incident.

A catastrophic fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong, killing at least 44 people and leaving more than 270 missing. The blaze, which spread rapidly through construction scaffolding, has prompted the arrest of three men on suspicion of manslaughter, highlighting concerns around construction safety and emergency preparedness. Residents are currently being sheltered as the investigation unfolds.

A devastating fire has ripped through several high-rise tower blocks in Hong Kong, killing at least 44 people, making it the deadliest in more than 60 years. More than 270 have been reported missing and thousands of residents are in evacuation shelters.

Pictures show several buildings ablaze, and thick smoke billowing into the air, dominating the Chinese territory's skyline.

As night fell, the fire was still burning hours after it was first reported, with more than 760 firefighters deployed to the scene. Three men have since been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter connected to the fire, according to local media reports, and an investigation has been launched.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed condolences to victims, including a firefighter who died in the line of duty, state media report.

The blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a large housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, at 14:51 local time on Wednesday (06:51 GMT). Wang Fuk Court consists of eight tower blocks, each 31 storeys high. Seven have been affected by the fire, Tai Po district councillor Mui Siu-fung told BBC Chinese.

Built in 1983, the tower blocks were undergoing renovations, and the outside of the buildings was covered in bamboo scaffolding and construction netting. Footage shows the fire spreading quickly through the bamboo.

The Hong Kong fire department has classified the blaze as a level five alarm - the highest in severity. It was declared level four within 40 minutes of the fire being reported.

The death toll rose significantly early on Thursday morning, from 13 to 36 people. Officials reported that the death toll had risen again, to 40, just before 06:00 local time on Thursday. Among the dead is firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who was with the service for nine years.

In response to the tragedy, several emergency shelters have been set up to accommodate evacuated residents, with at least 900 people taking shelter in these temporary facilities.

Police arrested three men aged between 52 and 68 on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the deadly blaze. The investigation will focus on alleged negligence related to construction practices, particularly the use of non-fire retardant materials.

The rapid spread of the fire has reignited discussions about the safety of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong, as the iconic yet flammable building method comes under scrutiny.