By Harshit
HONG KONG, NOVEMBER 27, 2025
Death Toll in Hong Kong High-Rise Inferno Soars to 128 as Search for 200 Missing IntensifiesA catastrophic fire that ripped through the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has left at least 55 people dead, hundreds displaced, and many still missing, marking the city’s deadliest blaze in decades. The inferno, which began on Wednesday afternoon, spread at astonishing speed across multiple high-rise blocks undergoing renovation, engulfing the residential complex in flames and smoke visible for miles.
As firefighters worked through the night and into Thursday evening, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the fires across all seven affected buildings were “basically under control,” though live video still showed pockets of flames burning through upper floors. Rescue teams continue searching for missing residents — many of them elderly — amid fears the death toll may rise further.
Authorities have arrested three men, described as directors and a consultant for a construction company involved in renovation works at the complex, on suspicion of manslaughter. They are accused of gross negligence linked to the building’s bamboo scaffolding and the use of materials that may not have met fire safety standards. Parallel corruption and criminal investigations have been launched.
The blaze has shaken Hong Kong, prompting urgent questions about renovation oversight, fire safety in high-rise buildings, and the city’s longstanding reliance on bamboo scaffolding.
A Fire That Spread in Minutes, Outrunning Evacuation Time
Residents and experts described scenes of terror as flames traveled vertically up the exterior scaffolding and into apartments at extraordinary speed.
Xinyan Huang, associate professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, said the fire climbed 32 floors in five minutes — far faster than the 10–20 minutes typically needed to evacuate a building of that height.
“It is not the cause of the fire that is critical,” Huang said. “The building is designed to withstand random internal fires — but not a fire racing up the exterior and re-entering units. That scenario is not considered in Hong Kong’s building fire code.”
Huang compared the blaze to London’s 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster — another deadly high-rise fire fueled by flammable external cladding.
At Wang Fuk Court, renovation works had wrapped the towers in bamboo scaffolding, plastic sheeting, and even polystyrene-boarded windows, creating a vertical pathway for flames.
Elderly Residents and Families Caught in the Chaos
With roughly 36% of residents aged 65 or older, Wang Fuk Court has one of the highest proportions of elderly tenants among Hong Kong public housing estates. Many lived alone, relied on mobility aids, or struggled to evacuate quickly.
The 2021 census recorded 4,643 residents in the estate. The median age was 56.
Mrs. Dang, 68, who has lived in the complex for more than 20 years, said she returned from a dance class to find entire facades of the estate ablaze.
“All I’ve done is watch my home burn to ashes,” she told CNN. “My clothes are black from the fire spit. It’s difficult to imagine going back. It all seems corrupt.”
Residents described windows covered with renovation plastic, sealed openings, and scaffolding blocking sunlight — conditions that may have slowed escape and accelerated fire spread.
Arrests and Corruption Probe Announced
Hong Kong Police confirmed the arrest of three men — two company directors and a consultant — who oversaw renovation works at the estate. They face suspicion of manslaughter for gross negligence, including possible use of unsafe materials and failure to comply with fire safety standards.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced it has formed a dedicated task force to investigate “potential corruption” in the renovation project. ICAC said it would examine decision-making processes, material sourcing, and whether any improper financial incentives contributed to safety lapses.
Security Secretary Chris Tang said criminal investigations will run alongside the fire safety review.
Government Responds: Aid, Shelters, and Nationwide Inspections
Chief Executive John Lee, addressing the media Thursday evening, announced multiple emergency measures:
- HK$10,000 (US$1,200) for each affected household
- HK$300 million (US$38.5 million) government assistance fund
- Nine emergency shelters now housing about 500 displaced residents
- Deployment of 250 doctors and 250 medical professionals to provide care
- Cancellation of all government celebratory events
- A citywide inspection of all bamboo scaffolding
Lee said Hong Kong is “experiencing a collective pain,” adding, “At this difficult moment, we must get through this hard time together.”
He also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for his “concern,” underscoring the political magnitude of the disaster.
Debate Over Bamboo Scaffolding Intensifies
The blaze has reignited long-running debate over Hong Kong’s reliance on bamboo scaffolding — a centuries-old construction method widely used because it is cheap, strong, flexible, and easy to erect even on narrow high-rises.
But bamboo is also flammable, especially during the city’s dry season. Combined with nylon fasteners and plastic safety netting, it can create a chimney-like effect that accelerates vertical fire spread.
Chief Executive Lee said the government is meeting with the construction sector to consider moving from bamboo to metal scaffolding for high-rise renovation projects.
Fire experts say reforms may take time but are essential.
Banks, Corporations and Volunteers Mobilize
Hong Kong’s largest banks, including HSBC, were urged by regulators to support affected residents. HSBC announced it would:
- replace lost banking documents
- waive penalties and service charges
- offer repayment grace periods
- increase staffing in Tai Po
Chinese corporations — including Alibaba, Xiaomi, Tencent, ByteDance, Anta, BYD, Xpeng, and others — pledged millions in emergency donations to support relief efforts, transitional housing, supplies, and emotional care.
Meanwhile, volunteers flocked to the site to rescue pets trapped inside burning buildings. Animal welfare groups with oxygen carriers and mobile ambulances managed to save around a dozen cats, multiple dogs, and even tortoises.
“We have about 20 volunteers, vets, and veterinary nurses working non-stop,” said Anson Cheng of Hong Kong Guardians.
Evacuation Challenges and the Trauma Left Behind
Residents described claustrophobic hallways, smoke-filled stairwells, and rapid structural collapse. Some floors became inaccessible within minutes.
One survivor recalled: “You couldn’t tell if it was sunny or raining. All windows were sealed during renovation.”
Fire officials said the blaze was so intense that teams were forced to reposition repeatedly, slowing rescue operations.
Hundreds of evacuees wrapped in blankets waited on nearby platforms as homes burned behind them. Many remain unsure whether they will ever return to Wang Fuk Court.
The government is preparing long-term support plans for those who lost loved ones or homes, including counseling services.
A Community in Mourning as the Search Continues
More than 24 hours after the first flames appeared, isolated fires continued burning through Thursday night. Firefighters, many visibly exhausted, rotated through shifts as they combed through debris and searched for missing residents.
The death toll stands at 55, but police say the number may rise as searches continue.
Hong Kong — a city known for its vertical skylines — is grappling with the horror of how quickly a fire can consume entire towers when external structures fuel the blaze.
As investigators probe the combination of renovation materials, polystyrene, sealed windows, flammable scaffolding, and possible corruption, officials and citizens alike say the tragedy must become a turning point for high-rise safety in the city.