A raging fire tore through multiple high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, killing at least 14 people, including a firefighter, and leaving many others injured. The fire broke out in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, a subsidized residential development of eight towers containing 2,000 apartments. Thick black smoke and towering flames engulfed the 32-storey buildings, with firefighters struggling to reach the upper floors amid extreme heat.
Authorities said the blaze escalated quickly due to strong winds and the presence of bamboo scaffolding, still in place despite a government plan to phase it out for safety reasons. Residents described chaotic scenes as scaffolding frames fell and flames spread to seven of the eight blocks. Roads were closed and public transportation rerouted as emergency crews worked to control the inferno. Many residents remain unaccounted for, while dozens watched helplessly from nearby areas.
Built in 1983, the complex has been undergoing renovations costing HK$330 million. The tragedy is Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, surpassing a 1996 commercial building fire in Kowloon. Authorities continue to investigate the cause and rescue efforts remain ongoing.
