A devastating fire ripped through a residential high-rise estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on November 26, 2025, killing at least 83 people and leaving nearly 300 residents unaccounted for, authorities said. Police arrested three executives from the construction firm responsible for recent renovation work, suspecting gross negligence in use of unsafe materials.
The blaze erupted at Wang Fuk Court, a complex of eight 32-storey towers housing nearly 4,800 residents, many of whom were inside when flames engulfed the buildings. Flames spread rapidly, fueled by bamboo scaffolding and flammable netting used during renovation.
Emergency services deployed dozens of fire engines and hundreds of rescue personnel to battle intense heat and thick smoke for more than a day, as trapped residents were feared on upper floors. Survivors described chaotic evacuation scenes, with displaced families sheltering in malls and temporary centres amid uncertainty about missing loved ones.
Authorities said the arrested men two directors and an engineering consultant of the renovation contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering Company Ltd. face manslaughter charges. Investigators seized company records, computers and mobile phones in early-morning raids as they probe links between substandard cladding, sealed windows and the fire’s catastrophic spread.
“At the very least we believe those responsible demonstrated gross negligence, leading to uncontrollable fire and mass casualties,” a senior police official said.
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The fire is the deadliest in Hong Kong in decades many compare it to other catastrophic tower-block fires worldwide. Local residents and advocacy groups have renewed criticism of widespread use of traditional bamboo scaffolding and potentially dangerous cladding on ageing buildings.
In response, city authorities said they will inspect all housing estates under renovation and review fire-safety rules. Officials also committed to supporting victims and displaced families, and launched a relief fund to assist those who lost homes.
The tragedy is likely to reignite public debate over construction standards, building safety regulations and governmental oversight as calls grow for stricter enforcement and accountability to prevent such disasters in the future.
