Tragic Fire Engulfs Hong Kong Apartment Towers, Leaving Four Dead

Thu Nov 27 2025 18:02:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A devastating fire broke out in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, claiming the lives of at least four individuals and injuring others. The blaze affected multiple high-rise buildings in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, raising safety concerns about construction practices in the area.

A significant fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has led to the deaths of four people, including a firefighter, and left several others injured, some critically. The blaze, fueled by bamboo scaffolding around the apartment towers, raised alarms about safety protocols in construction as local authorities react to the tragedy.

At least four people have been killed in a huge fire that has engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong's Tai Po district.

At least three more are injured, two of whom are in critical condition, a government statement said. There are fears that some people may still be trapped in the buildings, local media reports.

Footage shows flames and thick clouds of grey smoke billowing from the towers of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex on Wednesday afternoon.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but the flames are believed to have spread quickly through bamboo scaffolding that covered the outside of the tower blocks.

The fire department has informed that one confirmed death was a firefighter.

The blaze broke out at 14:51 local time (06:50 GMT), and was quickly upgraded to a level four alarm within 40 minutes. It was upgraded again to the highest level five at 18:22.

As night fell, pictures showed that the fire was still burning, with red flames covering at least three tower blocks.

The Hong Kong government stated that nine people were taken to two hospitals for treatment. Four persons were certified dead, three persons are in critical condition, one person is in serious condition and one person is in stable condition, the statement said.

Wang Fuk Court is a housing complex made up of eight tower blocks, providing 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,000 residents, and is currently undergoing renovation, which is why bamboo scaffolding was present. This common practice has faced scrutiny recently due to safety concerns articulated by the government's development bureau.