Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Kills 36, Hundreds Missing in City’s Worst Blaze

A massive fire at a Hong Kong residential complex has killed at least 36 people, including one firefighter, with 279 residents still unaccounted for in what officials describe as the city’s deadliest blaze in decades.

Fire Engulfs Wang Fuk Court Complex

The devastating fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po district, a complex of eight towers containing nearly 2,000 apartments. The blaze continued burning into early Thursday, with flames still visible on four of the eight buildings nearly 12 hours after it began.

Hong Kong leader John Lee confirmed the death toll early Thursday, noting that 29 people were hospitalized with seven in critical condition. He described the fire as “gradually getting under control” but acknowledged the ongoing emergency response.

Scaffolding Fuels Rapid Spread

The fire initially took hold on bamboo scaffolding surrounding the buildings, which were undergoing estate-wide maintenance. The scaffolding and exterior materials may have contributed to the fire’s rapid spread, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the blaze’s cause and progression.

At the scene, AFP reporters described loud cracking sounds from burning bamboo and thick plumes of smoke billowing from the buildings. Charred scaffolding sections fell from the burning blocks as flames belched through windows, casting an eerie orange glow across the neighborhood.

Rescue Operations Face Challenges

Fire service deputy director Derek Armstrong Chan reported significant challenges in rescue efforts. “The temperature at the scene is very high and there are some floors where we have been unable to reach people who requested help, but we will keep trying,” he stated.

Chan suggested the fire likely spread between buildings due to wind and drifting debris, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

Elderly Residents Particularly Vulnerable

A 65-year-old resident surnamed Yuen, who had lived in the complex for over four decades, expressed devastation at the tragedy. “The windows were closed because of the maintenance, didn’t know there was a fire and had to be told to evacuate via phone calls by neighbours,” Yuen told AFP.

He noted that many neighbors were elderly and less mobile, complicating evacuation efforts. “I’m devastated. There is loss of property and loss of life, and even a firefighter has died.”

National and Local Response

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to victims and their families, specifically mentioning “the firefighter who died in the line of duty.” He called for maximum efforts to extinguish the blaze and minimize casualties.

Local authorities evacuated residents via coaches and cleared adjacent buildings as a precaution. More than 900 people sought refuge at temporary shelters, with police noting that the exact number of missing remained unclear as residents continued reporting absent family members throughout the night.

The incident marks a tragic return of large-scale deadly fires to Hong Kong, which had seen significant improvements in fire safety measures in recent decades.