Fire Erupts in Tai Po Apartment Complex
A large and destructive fire broke out on the afternoon of November 26, 2025, at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. The blaze began around 2:50 p.m. local time and rapidly escalated — by 6:22 p.m. it was upgraded to a No. 5 alarm, the city’s highest fire alert level. The inferno engulfed multiple high-rise blocks, sending thick smoke and flames pouring into the sky.
Officials later confirmed at least 13 people had lost their lives. Dozens more were injured, and many residents were forced to flee, seeking refuge in emergency shelters.
Why the Blaze Spread so Fast: Scaffolding and Structure Under Renovation
Wang Fuk Court — a subsidised housing complex with around 2,000 units — was undergoing exterior wall renovations at the time of the fire. The buildings were surrounded by bamboo scaffolding and safety nettings. Experts believe this external bamboo structure, highly flammable when exposed to flames and heat, helped the fire spread swiftly across multiple towers.
At first, the fire was labelled as less severe, but within minutes the situation deteriorated. Fire alarms reportedly failed to activate in time, delaying early warnings to residents. By the time firefighters were on site, the fire had already engulfed several floors. Residents described chaotic scenes as they rushed to escape thick smoke and rushing flames.
Casualties, Rescue Efforts and Fallout
Among the victims was a 37-year-old firefighter who succumbed while battling the blaze, underscoring the catastrophic danger posed to both residents and first responders. Many other injured people were transferred to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
Authorities launched a large-scale rescue operation. Dozens of fire trucks and ambulances rushed to the site; residents were evacuated, and temporary shelters opened for displaced families. As night fell, parts of the estate were still smoldering, and rescue teams worked under hazardous conditions amid falling debris and unstable scaffolding.
The tragic event has raised urgent questions about fire safety — especially regarding the continued use of bamboo scaffolding in high-density housing. Past warnings about the risks of combustible construction materials have resurfaced.
What Happens Next: Investigation and Safety Review
The fire commission and local authorities have opened an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the blaze. Early indications point toward the combustible bamboo scaffolding as a key factor in the rapid spread. Officials may consider stricter regulations or phasing out such scaffolding in renovation projects — a move many safety advocates have long called for.
Residents and relatives of victims now await answers, mourning loved ones while demanding tighter enforcement of fire-safety standards in dense housing complexes.
