Wang Fuk Court fire

The Wang Fuk Court fire was a major fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. It started on 26 November 2025 and killed at least 161 people, including one firefighter. About 79 people were injured, and 6 remain missing. The fire spread quickly through green netting on the bamboo scaffolding during building repairs, making it one of Hong Kong's worst disasters in decades.

 Background 
Wang Fuk Court is a government-subsidized housing complex built in 1983. It has eight high-rise blocks for about 4,000 residents. In 2025, workers were repairing the outer walls. They used bamboo scaffolding and green netting around the buildings. The net helped the fire spread fast. The weather that day was dry, with a red fire danger warning from the Hong Kong Observatory.

 Fire 
The fire began at about 2:51 p.m. local time (HKT) on 26 November 2025. It started at the base of the bamboo scaffolding on Wang Cheong House (宏昌閣), one of the blocks. Smoke and flames quickly climbed the building and spread to nearby towers. Firefighters arrived in 10 minutes, but the blaze was already out of control. From 3:21 to 3:24 p.m., the residents (inside Wang Kin House (宏建閣)) tried to use the fire hose and activate the fire alarm in the corridor. However, water did not come out and the alarm did not ring.100%還原，宏福苑大火致命20分鐘：消防系統全面癱瘓，街坊搏命自救，「守望相助」感人實錄. Tagline HK. December 2, 2025

Over 250 firefighters and 60 fire engines fought the fire for more than 24 hours. It was called a five-alarm fire, the highest level and the second such event since Hong Kong's return to China in 1997. The fire was mostly under control by early 27 November, but search teams kept looking for survivors.

On 28 November, the fire department announced that the fire was mostly put out.

 Casualties 
As of 22 December 2025, officials reported at least 161 deaths. This includes 37-year-old firefighter , who died from burns while trying to save people. He had nine years on the job. Another 11 firefighters were hurt. About 79 people were injured in total, with some in serious condition. More than 100 residents are still missing, and hundreds were forced to leave their homes. Over 900 people stayed in nearby shelters like community halls and schools.

This is Hong Kong's deadliest fire since 1948, when 176 people died in a warehouse blaze.

 Response 
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee called the fire a "huge tragedy" and visited the site. Police arrested three people linked to the construction work on suspicion of manslaughter. The contractor was Prestige Construction and Engineering Company. China's President Xi Jinping ordered full efforts to control the fire and help victims.

The government set up a HK$300 million (US$38.6 million) support fund for victims on 29 November. People can donate to it. Help desks and hotlines were opened for families to report missing relatives. Local elections planned for 8 December were paused due to the disaster.

 Investigation 
The cause is under review. Officials say the scaffolding and netting burned too easily, against safety rules. The Labour Department had checked the site 16 times since July 2024 and warned about fire risks just days before. Residents had complained about poor work by the builders for months. Hong Kong government is now looking at banning bamboo scaffolding and old netting in building projects.

 Aftermath 
The fire raised worries about safety in Hong Kong's crowded high-rises. Many families lost everything and are getting aid like food and clothes. Survivors shared stories of jumping from windows to escape. The event hit during a busy time, with the city mourning the huge loss of life.

References

Sources
[ "3 arrested in Hong Kong as high-rise fire leaves at least 44 dead". Politico. Associated Press. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.]
Politico story
The Guardian news story

Category:2025 disasters in Asia
Category:21st century in Hong Kong
Category:Fires in Asia
Category:November 2025 events