Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court towers have been devastated by a massive fire, leaving 44 people dead and hundreds missing. At least 45 others are in critical condition, authorities said.
The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at the 31-storey residential complex in Tai Po, northern New Territories. The eight towers house around 2,000 flats with roughly 4,800 residents.
A special taskforce has been set up to determine the cause. Early Thursday, police arrested three men, aged 52 to 68, on suspicion of manslaughter linked to the fire.
City leader John Lee said in the early hours of Thursday that the blaze was “coming under control.” He confirmed authorities had dispatched 128 fire engines and nearly 800 firefighters. Roads near the complex, including major highways, were closed to aid emergency response.
“The priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue trapped residents,” Lee said. “Next is support for the injured, followed by recovery efforts and a full investigation.”
Fire officials said temperatures inside the towers were extremely high, making it difficult for firefighters to enter and reach upper floors. At least one firefighter, 37-year-old Ho Wai-ho, was among those killed.
Videos from the scene showed flames spreading across the towers, erupting from multiple windows. Residents watched in shock, some crying as smoke billowed into the sky.
A local resident surnamed So said, “There’s nothing we can do about the property. We can only hope everyone can return safely. It’s heartbreaking.” Another resident, Harry Cheung, 66, described hearing a loud noise before seeing the fire. He rushed to pack belongings, unsure if he would be able to return home.
The towers in Tai Po are among the tallest in the district, a densely populated area where many residents are elderly, according to census data. Authorities opened emergency shelters in local community halls, but at least one was reported full by Wednesday night. Police also set up a casualty hotline.
China’s leader, Xi Jinping, offered condolences for the victims. Officials said the fire may have started in bamboo and mesh scaffolding outside the towers before spreading inside, though the exact cause remains unclear. Local groups expressed concern over repeated fire risks from scaffolding, citing similar incidents earlier this year.
Hong Kong has strict building standards, but high population density and scaffolding hazards remain safety challenges. The fire may intensify public concern about housing conditions, particularly ahead of a city-wide legislative election in early December. Several election forums and campaign events have been canceled.
Residents recounted the horror as flames engulfed their homes. A 71-year-old man, surnamed Wong, broke down, saying his wife was trapped inside. Authorities continue to prioritize rescuing anyone still inside the towers.
This fire is the deadliest in Hong Kong in decades. In November 1996, a level-five fire in a Kowloon commercial building killed 41 people over nearly 20 hours.
Emergency crews remain at the scene, coordinating rescue operations and support for affected families. Investigations will focus on the scaffolding and other potential causes, while authorities aim to prevent future disasters in the densely populated city.
