4,800 Residents Affected: Hong Kong’s High-Rise Fire Exposes Massive Safety Failures

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A massive fire in Hong Kong has entered its second day, killing at least 65 people and becoming the city’s deadliest blaze in 60 years. The fire engulfed multiple buildings in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, where firefighters have extinguished flames in four towers but continue battling smaller fires elsewhere. More than 279 residents remain unaccounted for, and many families are still searching for loved ones. One resident, Lawrence Lee, said his wife became trapped after smoke-filled corridors made escape impossible.

Authorities reported that over 70 people were injured, mostly from burns and smoke inhalation. The tragedy has drawn shock and sympathy across mainland China, where millions live in high-rise buildings similar to those that burned. The fire began on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting before spreading rapidly across seven buildings. Officials now suspect that some exterior wall materials failed to meet fire-resistance standards, contributing to the unusually fast spread.

Police discovered highly flammable styrofoam near elevator lobbies and arrested three men from the construction company responsible for maintenance at the site, accusing them of gross negligence and possible manslaughter. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee ordered immediate inspections of all housing estates undergoing major renovations and announced plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding entirely.

Fire safety experts called the disaster shocking, noting that building regulations are designed to prevent fires from jumping between towers. Analysts warned that public anger may soon target government regulators responsible for building and fire safety. The complex, built in the 1980s, houses around 4,800 residents, many of them elderly and unable to evacuate quickly. Ongoing renovation work is now also under investigation for possible corruption.

The government has set up a HK$300 million (US$38.6 million) fund to support affected families. Numerous Chinese companies and charitable foundations—including Xiaomi, Geely, Xpeng, and Jack Ma’s charity group—have pledged millions in donations to help victims as recovery efforts continue.

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Source: Aljazeera

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