A devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has left at least 65 people dead, including a firefighter, and more than 70 injured. The blaze, which began on Wednesday afternoon, is now largely under control, but hundreds remain unaccounted for, trapped in upper apartments of the high-rise complex. This tragedy marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in six decades.

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Fire Extinguished, Rescue Operations Ongoing

Firefighters worked tirelessly for a second day to contain the blaze that engulfed seven buildings in the Wang Fuk Court complex. By Thursday, flames in four of the affected buildings had been extinguished, and the remaining fires were under control, authorities said.

Despite the progress, rescue teams are still racing against time to reach residents trapped in the upper floors. One resident, Lawrence Lee, reported he had not heard from his wife. “When the fire started, I told her on the phone to escape. But the corridor and stairs were filled with smoke and darkness, so she had no choice but to go back to the flat,” he explained.

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Cause of the Fire and Construction Safety Concerns

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire began on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting and spread rapidly across the high-rise buildings. Authorities discovered that some exterior wall materials did not meet fire resistance standards, contributing to the rapid spread. Styrofoam, highly flammable, was also found near elevator lobbies on multiple floors.

Three men from the construction company responsible for maintenance have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Police allege gross negligence by the company directors and an engineering consultant.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee responded to the disaster by ordering immediate inspections of all housing estates undergoing renovations and announced plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding across the city.

Alex Webb, a fire safety engineer at CSIRO Infrastructure Technologies in Australia, said the rapid spread of the fire was unusual, noting that building regulations normally prevent fires from spreading beyond the originating building.

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Government and Public Response

The Wang Fuk Court complex houses approximately 4,800 residents across nearly 2,000 apartments, including many elderly residents who may have struggled to evacuate quickly. The Hong Kong government has pledged a HK$300 million (US$38.6 million) relief fund to support victims and their families.

Several major Chinese companies, including Xiaomi, Xpeng, Geely, and the Alibaba Foundation, have pledged millions in donations to assist the fire victims.

Chau Sze Kit, chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, emphasized the need for stricter oversight: “We need to seriously review fire safety and site safety management across the entire industry, including government oversight.”

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International Attention and Sympathy

Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu reported from Beijing that residents in mainland China have been closely following the tragedy, expressing deep sympathy and concern. Many relate to the dangers of living in dense urban environments with high-rise buildings similar to those in Tai Po.

The Hong Kong Anti-Corruption Agency has launched an investigation into the major renovation project, looking into possible corruption or negligence in construction oversight.

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Summary of the Disaster

• Location: Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, Hong Kong
• Death Toll: 65 (including 1 firefighter)
• Missing: At least 279 residents
• Injured: More than 70, many with burns and smoke inhalation
• Cause: Fire spread on bamboo scaffolding, construction netting, flammable exterior materials
• Government Response: HK$300 million relief fund, immediate inspections, phase-out of bamboo scaffolding
• Public and Corporate Support: Donations from major Chinese corporations and foundations

Rescue teams continue to search the affected buildings for survivors as authorities work to prevent future tragedies.