Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Claims 44 Lives, Three Arrested

A devastating fire engulfed a high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong, resulting in at least 44 fatalities and leaving 279 individuals reported as missing. The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, located in the Tai Po district, and continued to burn into the following morning, prompting extensive rescue operations.

By Thursday morning local time, firefighters had managed to bring the blaze under control in four of the eight towers, although conditions remained hazardous for rescue teams. Officials confirmed that 40 of the 44 deceased were pronounced dead at the scene, with at least 62 others injured, many suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation.

Authorities are investigating the fire’s rapid spread, suspecting that some materials used on the buildings’ exterior did not meet fire resistance standards. Investigators discovered highly flammable Styrofoam near the lift lobby of the unaffected tower, indicating possible negligence during construction. Senior Superintendent of Police, Eileen Chung, stated, “We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent.” Three men aged between 52 and 68, including the directors of the construction firm and an engineering consultant, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

The fire started on external scaffolding of a 32-storey tower, later spreading to the interior and across other buildings, likely exacerbated by windy conditions. Eyewitnesses reported flames and thick smoke billowing from windows as hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes. Approximately 900 people were relocated to temporary shelters as rescue operations continued.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping extended condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the need to minimize casualties. The city’s Chief Executive, John Lee, announced that public campaigning for the upcoming legislative elections on December 7 would be suspended, prioritizing disaster response efforts.

The Wang Fuk Court complex, constructed in the 1980s, houses around 4,800 residents, many of whom are elderly. Firefighters faced extreme temperatures and dangerous debris as they attempted to navigate the site, which was upgraded to a level 5 alarm—the highest severity rating—by nightfall.

Derek Armstrong Chan, Deputy Director of Fire Service Operations, highlighted the challenges faced by rescue teams: “Debris and scaffolding of the affected buildings is falling down. The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high. It’s difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations.”

The Hong Kong Fire Services Department responded with over 200 fire vehicles and 100 ambulances, as multiple calls for assistance flooded in. Tragically, a 37-year-old firefighter lost his life during the operation, while another sustained heat exhaustion.

As the situation develops, district officials have established temporary shelters for those displaced by the fire. One resident, who identified herself only as Wu, expressed her despair over the tragedy, stating, “I’ve given up thinking about my property. Watching it burn like that was really frustrating.”

This incident marks one of the deadliest fires in Hong Kong’s recent history, recalling the November 1996 fire in Kowloon that claimed 41 lives. The community mourns as investigations continue into the causes and accountability surrounding this tragic event.