Hong Kong, November 27, 2025
A catastrophic fire engulfed the Wang Cheong House at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po District, Hong Kong on November 26, 2025, igniting safety nets and rapidly spreading across multiple high-rise blocks. The incident, which became a five-alarm fire, drew a massive emergency response and has resulted in significant loss of life, injuries, and displaced residents.
Casualty and Missing Person Report
As of the latest official updates, the fire has claimed at least 55 lives, including one firefighter, and injured 77 individuals. Authorities continue to report 279 people as missing, underscoring the scale of the tragedy. The loss marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since the 1918 Happy Valley Racecourse disaster.
Incident Scope and Emergency Response
The fire originated around 14:51 HKT on November 26, initially igniting the green safety nets on the building’s scaffolding. It quickly spread to engulf four residential blocks within the Wang Fuk Court estate. In total, seven buildings were affected, with three still ablaze as of the morning of November 27. The emergency response involved 767 firefighters, 128 fire trucks, and 57 ambulances, indicating the substantial resources deployed to control the blaze, which was contained by 06:23 HKT the following day. More than 1,000 residents were evacuated to the nearby Kwong Fuk Shopping Centre for safety.
Impact on Residents
Evacuated residents have expressed distress over the destruction of personal belongings and uncertainty about their future housing and livelihoods. Many long-term occupants lost decades of possessions, including cherished pets, in a fire that devastated their community. Appeals have been made to the government for assistance in rebuilding and recovery efforts.
Preliminary Investigation Findings
The initial police investigation points to potential criminal negligence. Authorities are examining the possible involvement of grossly negligent construction practices, specifically the use of unsafe materials by a responsible firm, as the fire’s origin. This line of inquiry aims to establish accountability for the extent and severity of the disaster.
The Wang Fuk Court fire underscores the critical importance of building safety standards and emergency preparedness in densely populated urban settings. Ongoing rescue, investigation, and recovery efforts will shape Hong Kong’s response to preventing future tragedies of this scale.