Deadly Hong Kong Blaze at Wang Fuk Court Claims 94 Lives Amid Construction Safety Concerns
Hong Kong — A devastating fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, November 26, killing at least 94 people and leaving many others missing. The blaze, which spread rapidly across seven of the eight towers, has raised serious concerns about building safety and construction practices in one of the world’s most densely populated cities. The fire erupted at around 2:51 p.m. in Wang Cheong House and quickly spread to adjacent towers — Wang Tai, Wang Shing, and Wang Yan Houses — before engulfing most of the complex. Around 4,600 residents live in Wang Fuk Court’s 2,000 apartments, many of whom are elderly and faced difficulty evacuating from the upper floors.
Potential Causes Under Investigation
Hong Kong police have pointed to “gross negligence” by a construction firm as a possible factor in the fire. Buildings under renovation were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green construction mesh, while windows in some towers were sealed with foam material, which investigators believe may have accelerated the spread of flames.
Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung said, “We have reason to believe that the company’s responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties.”
Bamboo Scaffolding Risks
The blaze has highlighted the ongoing use of bamboo scaffolding, a centuries-old construction method in Hong Kong and southern China. Lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive, bamboo has been widely used alongside green mesh netting to protect pedestrians from debris. However, the material is highly flammable, and Hong Kong remains one of the few modern cities still relying on it.
Plastic foam boards used in renovations may have further fueled the fire. Photographs from the scene show melted foam and remnants of burnt green mesh, which likely contributed to the blaze’s rapid vertical spread.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts
By Thursday morning, firefighters had brought four towers under control, but heavy smoke and high temperatures continued to hinder access to the upper floors. Deputy Fire Director Derek Armstrong Chan highlighted the challenges posed by the complex layout and smoke-filled stairwells, particularly for elderly residents.
The tragedy has drawn comparisons to London’s Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, where flammable cladding and construction failures led to 72 deaths. Grenfell survivors expressed solidarity with Hong Kong victims, emphasizing the need for improved building safety standards worldwide.
This is the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1948, when a warehouse blaze killed 176 people. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause while grappling with the human and logistical toll of the disaster.
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