New Delhi: Hong Kong faced one of its worst fire disasters in decades as the death toll from a massive blaze at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex rose to 94, with many still unaccounted for. Firefighters continued operations for a second day on Thursday, moving through soot-covered corridors and smoke-filled apartments in the Tai Po district, where thousands of residents live across eight towers.
Officials reported that flames had been fully extinguished in four buildings and brought under control in three more, though firefighters were still working to access several units. Search teams equipped with flashlights combed through the darkened interiors, while some windows continued to emit thick smoke and occasional bursts of flame. Authorities had earlier said contact was lost with nearly 280 residents, but no updated figure was provided during the day’s briefing.
Emergency services described the blaze as spreading at an unusually fast pace. The fire is believed to have begun on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting around a 32-storey building before being carried by wind across seven towers. Falling debris, intense heat and blocked access points made it extremely difficult for crews to enter the structures. More than 70 people were injured, including several firefighters, and around 900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters.
The complex, built in the 1980s and undergoing major renovation, is now at the centre of a criminal investigation. Police arrested three men linked to a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter and seized documents during a search of the firm’s office. Authorities suspect some exterior materials failed to meet fire-resistance standards and noted the presence of flammable plastic foam panels near elevator lobbies. These materials were reportedly installed by the renovation contractor, though their purpose remains unclear.
Officials also announced an immediate review of safety practices across ongoing renovation projects citywide. The government signalled it may push for a complete shift from bamboo to metal scaffolding due to fire concerns.
The blaze ranks among the deadliest in the city’s modern history, surpassing the 1996 Kowloon fire that claimed 41 lives, and leaves Hong Kong confronting urgent questions about building safety and renovation standards.
