A devastating fire erupted Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, tragically claiming at least 44 lives and injuring numerous others, sparking intense scrutiny and activating comprehensive community and government support responses. The inferno, which ignited shortly before 3 p.m. on November 26, rapidly escalated, becoming Hong Kong’s deadliest such disaster, surpassing the 1996 Garley Building fire that killed 41. As of Thursday morning, firefighting efforts continued across the public housing complex while emergency services raced to locate 279 missing residents and provide aid to the displaced.

Understanding the Tragedy and Spread

The catastrophic event began at Wang Cheong House within the Wang Fuk Court complex. Authorities have linked the rapid, extensive spread of the fire to ongoing large-scale renovation works. Crucially, bamboo scaffolding and protective green mesh, which had been erected around the residential towers since July 2024, quickly became engulfed in flames.

The fire department swiftly elevated the incident to a Level-Five conflagration—the highest risk classification—by 6 p.m. Wednesday. Witness accounts reported burning debris drifting across the complex, igniting surrounding residential blocks. Of the eight blocks composing Wang Fuk Court, seven were affected. By Thursday morning, control was established over four blocks, but three still required active firefighting. Deputy Director of Fire Services Derek Armstrong Chan indicated the complexity of the operation, estimating that reaching the rooftops of the most severely affected buildings could take until dusk.

The disaster’s severity has prompted a criminal investigation. Concerns center on materials used during the renovations by Prestige Construction & Engineering Co Ltd, specifically the use of polystyrene foam to cover windows. Investigators suspect this highly flammable material may have exacerbated the speed and intensity of the fire. Police have arrested three individuals—two directors and one engineering consultant—from the maintenance company connected to the site. Among the confirmed casualties is one firefighter who died while participating in the rescue operation.

Immediate Support and Community Mobilization

In response to the overwhelming need for assistance, the Tai Po District Office swiftly opened multiple temporary shelters for the hundreds of displaced residents.

Key Support Resources:

• Temporary Shelters: Locations include Tai Wo Neighbourhood Community Centre, Tung Cheong Street Sports Centre, and Tai Po Community Centre, among others.
• Casualty Hotline: The Hong Kong Police Force established a public hotline at 1878 999 for information regarding casualties.
• Hospital Support: Interdepartmental help desks are operational at hospitals, including Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (2658 4040) and Prince of Wales Hospital (3505 1555).

The local community has demonstrated an immediate, powerful response, rallying to assist those affected. Donations of food, clothing, and blankets swiftly poured in, overwhelming initial distribution points. Organizations like the Hong Kong Red Cross have activated their emergency protocols, accepting monetary donations for relief efforts.

Financial assistance and bereavement support have been prioritized for affected families:

• Yan Chai Hospital is directing its emergency relief fund toward funerary needs for financially struggling families.
• Po Leung Kuk allocated $3 million for financial relief for the injured and the families of the deceased.
• The Sheng Kung Hui (Hong Kong Anglican Church) established the ‘Act of Love 1126 Fire Disaster Support Fund’ to provide grants and essential supplies.

For those experiencing emotional distress following the shock of the disaster, the 24-hour Mental Health Support Hotline (18 111) and the Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong hotlines (2389 2222/2223) are available.

Logistics and Operational Impact

The major incident has significantly affected traffic and school schedules across Tai Po. Authorities closed several major thoroughfares, including sections of the Tai Po Road–Yuen Chau Tsai and Kwong Wang Street, causing diversions for 39 franchised bus routes. The Transport Department maintains updated information on its website and via the HKeMobility app.

The Education Bureau suspended classes on November 27 at several schools directly affected by the fire and ensuing congestion, including CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School and Tai Po Baptist Public School.

This tragedy underscores the critical importance of ensuring public housing safety standards, especially during renovation projects involving highly combustible materials like bamboo scaffolding and polystyrene. The outcome of the criminal investigation will likely influence future construction safety regulations and oversight protocols in Hong Kong.