What We Know About the Hong Kong Apartment Fire

A devastating fire has engulfed several tower blocks in Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court complex, claiming at least 44 lives and leaving hundreds missing. The blaze is the deadliest fire in the city in over 60 years, with more than 270 people unaccounted for and thousands displaced into emergency shelters.

The fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, has drawn global attention as thick black smoke continues to billow from the towers. The flames spread quickly across the complex, prompting a massive emergency response, with over 760 firefighters battling the blaze. By nightfall, the fire was still not fully contained, raising concerns over both the safety of the residents and the effectiveness of fire safety measures in the complex.

Where and When Did the Fire Start?

The fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a large housing complex located in Tai Po, a residential district in the northern part of Hong Kong. The alarm was raised at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT) on Wednesday.

Wang Fuk Court comprises eight 31-story tower blocks, seven of which have been severely affected by the fire. The complex, which provides nearly 2,000 apartments for around 4,600 residents, was built in 1983 and was undergoing renovations at the time of the blaze. Bamboo scaffolding and construction netting covered the exterior of the buildings, which investigators suggest played a role in the rapid spread of the flames.

How Serious Is the Fire?

The Hong Kong Fire Services Department classified the blaze as a level five alarm, the highest possible level. Within just 40 minutes of the first report, the alarm level was raised to level four, and by 18:22—about three and a half hours after the fire began—the level was raised again to level five.

Reports indicated that explosions were heard from within the building, and firefighters faced difficulties reaching higher floors due to the intensity of the heat. As fire hoses struggled to reach the upper levels, debris and scaffolding began to fall, posing additional risks to emergency personnel. 767 firefighters, 128 fire engines, 57 ambulances, and over 400 police officers were deployed to the scene.

What Do We Know About the Victims?

As of Thursday morning, 44 people were confirmed dead, with 279 missing. The death toll continues to rise as rescue efforts continue. At least 45 people are in critical condition in hospital.

Among the dead is Firefighter Ho Wai-ho, a 37-year-old firefighter who had served at the Sha Tin Fire Station for nine years. Tragically, Ho was lost while attempting to contain the blaze, and his death has been mourned by colleagues and officials alike. One other firefighter is reported to be in hospital.

The intense nature of the fire meant that firefighters were unable to immediately rescue everyone trapped inside. Police officers have been assisting with efforts to locate missing residents by using loudspeakers to call for help and direct evacuees to safety.

Emergency Shelters and Evacuations

In the aftermath of the fire, emergency shelters have been set up to accommodate displaced residents. More than 900 people have sought refuge in shelters, including elderly residents who were seen arriving at shelters in wheelchairs or with walking aids. The shelters include the Tung Cheong Street Sports Centre and Kwong Fuk Community Hall. Six schools in Tai Po have been closed to assist with the evacuation efforts.

The Hong Kong police have set up an emergency hotline to help families track missing loved ones, and the Education Bureau has confirmed the closure of six schools for the day.

What We Know About the Arrests

Authorities have arrested three men, aged between 52 and 68, on suspicion of manslaughter. Two of the men are directors of a construction firm, while the third is an engineering consultant. Investigators believe the company’s negligence may have contributed to the fire’s rapid spread, particularly due to the use of non-fireproof mesh and polystyrene around the windows. Polystyrene is known for its high flammability, which could have contributed to the intensity of the fire.

Police suspect that these materials, combined with the bamboo scaffolding, led to the fire spreading uncontrollably and causing such significant loss of life.

Bamboo Scaffolding and Its Role in the Fire

The use of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong construction is a significant point of concern in this tragedy. Bamboo scaffolding, which is lightweight and cost-effective, has been used in Hong Kong for centuries. It’s often seen as an iconic feature of the city’s skyline. However, it is also highly flammable and can deteriorate over time, especially in the city’s humid climate.

Recent reports suggest that the government had been considering phasing out bamboo scaffolding due to growing safety concerns. In fact, a development bureau spokesperson mentioned in March 2025 that the risks associated with bamboo scaffolding—particularly its high combustibility—were becoming increasingly unacceptable. The Wang Fuk Court fire underscores these concerns, as the flames spread rapidly through the bamboo and the construction netting, raising serious questions about the continued use of the material.

What’s Next for Hong Kong’s Safety Standards?

This fire, the deadliest in Hong Kong in over six decades, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with traditional building materials like bamboo scaffolding. While bamboo is still widely used, the city is increasingly moving toward metal scaffolding, which is more fire-resistant and less susceptible to the dangers posed by humidity and weathering.

Hong Kong’s development bureau has acknowledged these issues, and the push for safer, more modern materials is expected to accelerate following this tragedy.

Conclusion

The Wang Fuk Court fire is a devastating event that has claimed dozens of lives and left hundreds missing. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the role of bamboo scaffolding and other construction materials has come under intense scrutiny. The incident has raised questions about safety standards in Hong Kong’s construction industry, particularly concerning the use of bamboo in modern high-rise buildings.

As Hong Kong begins to address the tragedy’s aftermath, the shift toward safer building materials like steel and fire-resistant scaffolding may become even more urgent. The lessons learned from this disaster will hopefully lead to stronger safety regulations and a future where such tragedies are less likely to occur.