A devastating Hong Kong high rise fire in the Tai Po district has left at least 13 people dead and dozens more injured after flames tore through multiple residential towers in a large public housing complex. The blaze, one of the deadliest in the city in decades, has raised urgent concerns about fire safety, scaffolding practices, and emergency response in Hong Kong’s densely populated high-rise estates.
The Hong Kong high rise fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, located in the New Territories in the northern part of the city. The complex consists of eight 31-storey towers with around 2,000 flats and roughly 4,800 residents, many of them elderly according to recent census data. Flames quickly spread across several blocks, with dramatic videos showing fire visible on nearly every floor and bursting out of windows as smoke poured into the sky.
Authorities classified the incident as a five-alarm fire, Hong Kong’s highest emergency level. In response, at least 128 fire engines and nearly 800 firefighters were deployed to tackle the inferno, and major surrounding roads and highways were closed to support rescue and suppression efforts. Despite the massive response, firefighters reported that extremely high temperatures inside the buildings made it difficult to enter upper floors and carry out search-and-rescue operations safely.
Casualties, injured residents, and trapped victims
Officials have confirmed that at least 13 people were killed in the Hong Kong high rise fire, including a 37-year-old firefighter, Ho Wai-ho, who died in the line of duty. Two other people were reported in critical condition with severe burns, and many more have been treated for injuries and smoke inhalation. As of Wednesday night, authorities said some residents were still believed to be trapped inside the affected towers, prompting continued rescue attempts despite falling debris and burning scaffolding.
On the streets below, distraught residents gathered to watch the scene unfold, some in tears as they waited for news of loved ones. One local resident, identified only by the surname So, described the situation as heartbreaking and said the community’s only hope was that everyone—young and old—could be brought out safely. Another resident, a 71-year-old man surnamed Wong, broke down as he explained that his wife was still trapped inside one of the burning buildings, highlighting the human toll behind the numbers.
Possible cause: scaffolding and safety concerns
Early reports indicate that the Hong Kong high rise fire may have started in external bamboo and mesh scaffolding that was wrapped around the towers for construction or renovation work before the flames spread into the interior of the buildings. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the incident has renewed debate over the safety of bamboo scaffolding, which remains a common sight across Hong Kong despite government moves to phase it out.
The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims has expressed deep concern about recurring fires linked to scaffolding, pointing to similar incidents reported in April, May, and October. Although Hong Kong’s building standards have improved significantly in recent decades, advocacy groups argue that the combination of high-rise density, aging residents, and external construction risks can create deadly conditions if not managed with the highest safety standards.
Government response and community support
In the wake of the Hong Kong high rise fire, the Hong Kong government announced that multiple departments were coordinating the emergency response, assisting displaced residents, and supporting frontline workers. Authorities in Tai Po have opened temporary shelters in community halls to house evacuees, and local media reported that at least one shelter was already at capacity by Wednesday night. Police have also set up a casualty hotline to help families locate missing relatives and obtain information about the injured.
China’s president, Xi Jinping, issued condolences for the victims and expressed support for ongoing rescue and relief operations. Meanwhile, several public forums and campaign events tied to the upcoming December 7 elections have been cancelled out of respect for the victims and to allow resources to remain focused on the emergency response.
A tragic reminder of high-rise risks
The Hong Kong high rise fire at Wang Fuk Court is being described as the city’s deadliest fire in decades and serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in densely populated vertical communities. With many elderly residents, complex evacuation needs, and active construction work involving scaffolding, the incident underscores the importance of strict safety enforcement, continuous inspection, and robust emergency planning.
As investigations continue, residents, safety advocates, and officials alike are calling for answers and reforms to ensure that such a catastrophe is not repeated in Hong Kong’s skyline of towering residential blocks.