Hong Kong Fire Claims Dozens of Lives, Residents in Shock and Mourning

Thu Nov 27 2025 22:42:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong has led to at least 44 fatalities, with many residents unaccounted for as authorities investigate the cause and provide support.

A massive fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district on Wednesday, claiming at least 44 lives and leaving many residents missing. The blaze spread quickly due to potentially flammable construction materials, prompting arrests of company executives. Evacuations have occurred, with many residents seeking shelter in makeshift centers. The local community is in mourning as residents express outrage over the response to the disaster.

When you get closer the heat rises and you can feel it and the smoke is really heavy. Student Thomas Liu was one of many people drawn to the scene of a deadly fire that tore through much of the eight-block Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district.

At least 44 people have died so far in the devastating blaze that began on Wednesday, and with hundreds still missing, this number is expected to rise. The cause is not yet known, but three construction company executives have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter connected to flammable materials, including mesh and plastic sheets, that may have allowed the fire to spread quickly.

It's a disaster, Thomas said of the fire, telling the BBC he had seen a body being taken away.

Many people sent us WhatsApp messages or called us, saying they still have relatives inside or can't find them, Mui Siu-fung, a councillor for the Tai Po district, told BBC Chinese.

More than a thousand other people were forced to evacuate the estate as the flames spread, with some heading to centres that have been set up to house them. Police also moved people from nearby buildings.

The fire was gradually being contained but officials said they did not know when it would be fully extinguished. Flames could be seen coming from individual apartments as many people watched on in silence.

One woman said her friends live inside the building and she was waiting to hear if they managed to get out.

Harry Cheung, who has lived in block two of the Wang Fuk Court complex for more than 40 years, told Reuters he heard a very loud noise and saw fire erupt in a nearby block.

I immediately went back to pack up my things, the 66-year-old resident said.

While the cause of the fire that engulfed the multiple high-rise blocks was unknown, police say a mesh material and plastic sheets were found outside the buildings - both of which are not believed to be fireproof.

Some people have expressed anger that such a massive fire could have happened and criticized the response. Residents shared feelings of devastation and heartbreak, calling for better support from the government as they navigate this tragedy.