HONG KONG, CHINA – A devastating fire engulfed the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on November 26, 2025, claiming the lives of at least 94 people and leaving hundreds unaccounted for. This tragic event is marked as the city’s deadliest fire in nearly eight decades.
Authorities have arrested the senior executives of Prestige Construction, the company responsible for ongoing renovations at the site. They are suspected of manslaughter due to alleged negligence involving the use of unsafe materials that contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Police Superintendent Eileen Chung stated, “We have reason to believe that the company’s responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties.”
Firefighters battled the blaze for more than 24 hours, confronting extreme heat, thick smoke, and the danger of collapsing scaffolding. By early Friday, the fire had been mostly contained. Deputy Director of Fire Services Derek Armstrong Chan confirmed that while many victims were discovered in two high-rise blocks of the eight-tower complex, some residents had been located alive, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
Rescue operations were challenging, with reports of some survivors found in stairwells, highlighting the harrowing conditions faced by those trapped. A distraught mother, searching for her missing daughter outside an emergency shelter set up for displaced residents, conveyed the emotional toll this disaster has had on families, stating, “She and her father are still not out yet.”
Authorities have mobilized resources, providing temporary shelter for about 900 displaced residents across eight locations. The community is now rallying together to support those affected, showcasing resilience in the face of such a catastrophic event.
In a swift response to the tragedy, police also conducted a raid on the offices of Prestige Construction, seizing crucial evidence, including bidding documents and electronic devices, as their investigation continues. Although the pain of loss looms large, the city’s collective effort to assist victims underscores a hopeful determination to recover and rebuild.