A huge fire swept through several high-rise residential blocks in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, killing at least 14 people and injuring many others as firefighters battled intense flames and thick smoke. The blaze ripped through the 32-storey towers covered in bamboo scaffolding and green construction mesh, and its cause remains unknown.
Fire crews struggled to reach the upper floors due to extreme heat, and strong winds pushed the flames across seven of the complex’s eight blocks. Moreover, the Wang Fuk Court housing estate, home to 2,000 apartments, left authorities uncertain about how many residents were still trapped inside as nightfall made conditions even more challenging.
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Residents watched in shock as smoke poured upward, with some crying as emergency teams worked to control the expanding fire. A firefighter was among the dead, while scores of people were injured, and survivors described hearing loud explosions shortly before the blaze spread. Falling scaffolding frames and continuous flames added to the chaos around the crowded housing complex.
Furthermore, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee convened an emergency meeting, urging all departments to prioritise public safety and assist affected families. China’s President Xi Jinping also called for maximum efforts to control the fire and reduce casualties, highlighting the seriousness of the incident. Authorities shut a major section of Tai Po Road and diverted buses, causing widespread traffic disruption.
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At least six schools announced closures for Thursday due to road blockages and safety concerns, underscoring the fire’s wider impact across the district. The disaster is Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1996, when 41 people were killed in Kowloon, and it has renewed concerns over renovation practices, bamboo scaffolding, and high-rise safety in one of the world’s densest urban regions.
The Wang Fuk Court estate, occupied since 1983 under a subsidised ownership scheme, has been undergoing extensive renovations worth HK$330 million. With Hong Kong’s housing market among the most expensive globally, many residents already face pressure, and the deadly blaze has left hundreds uncertain about their homes and future.