Tai Po, Hong Kong, China: A massive fire continued to burn through parts of Hong Kong on Thursday, a day after a deadly blaze swept through a high-rise residential complex, leaving at least 44 people dead and hundreds still unaccounted for. The incident, considered the worst fire the financial hub has witnessed in decades, broke out suddenly on Wednesday afternoon and rapidly engulfed sections of the tightly clustered Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po.
How the disaster unfolded
Authorities said the fire started around 2:50 p.m. at the eight-block housing estate, which consists of roughly 2,000 units spread across 32-storey towers. The exact cause remains unknown, but the buildings were under maintenance and surrounded by bamboo scaffolding, a traditional construction material known to ignite easily.
Officials had previously warned about the risks of bamboo scaffolding, especially after a similar incident last October. Despite calls to replace it with fire-resistant steel, the estate remained fully wrapped in bamboo during the ongoing repairs.
By early Thursday, police had detained three men, stating that the presence of hazardous, flammable items left during maintenance allowed the flames to spread far more aggressively than expected.
Fire tears through multiple towers
When emergency teams reached the site at dawn, several flats were still burning, although the intensity had reduced overnight. Witnesses reported hearing loud cracking sounds—believed to be collapsing bamboo structures—while thick plumes of smoke drifted between the towers and burning debris fell through the air.
A longtime resident, Mr. Yuen, 65, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said many elderly neighbours were unaware of the situation. “Windows were sealed because of the repair work, and some residents didn’t realise a fire had broken out until neighbours called them,” he said, visibly shaken.
According to Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of fire service operations, strong winds and falling embers may have carried the fire from one tower to another. “Temperatures inside are extremely high, and there are floors we still haven’t been able to reach. People who requested help are trapped, and we are doing everything possible to get to them,” he added.
Rising death toll and ongoing search
By Thursday morning, authorities confirmed 44 fatalities, including a 37-year-old firefighter who was found with severe burns after losing contact with his team for about 30 minutes, fire service director Andy Yeung confirmed.
Earlier, Chief Executive John Lee said 279 people were initially listed as missing, though rescue crews later managed to reach some of them. More than 900 residents were moved to temporary shelters, where police worked through confusion and emotional scenes as families struggled to locate missing relatives.
The estate remained dangerous as charred scaffolding fell, windows emitted bursts of flame, and an orange glow lit nearby buildings. Residents were evacuated on buses, and media reports indicated that neighbouring blocks were also being emptied. A section of a nearby highway was closed to assist firefighting operations.
Voices from the community
A local resident surnamed So, 57, expressed deep concern as she watched the devastation. “Property can be rebuilt, but lives cannot. I’m praying everyone—young or old—returns safely,” she said.
Another resident, a man in his 40s, said he was too frightened to leave his home. “The fire is still not fully controlled. I don’t know what else I can do, so I’m staying until we know more,” he said.
Mainland condolences and concerns for the future
Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed his sympathies, including to the firefighter who died while responding to the emergency. He urged officials to spare no effort in putting out the fire and reducing further casualties, according to state media.
Chief Executive John Lee said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and assured that all government departments were mobilised to help residents.
Hong Kong had significantly improved fire safety standards over recent decades, after once facing frequent deadly fires in older districts. However, the scale and speed of Wednesday’s disaster have reignited concerns over construction safety, aging buildings, and outdated scaffolding practices.
