Habiba Hamisi, 27 November 2025

A massive fire swept through several residential towers in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, leaving at least 44 people dead and hundreds unaccounted for. Authorities say around 279 residents have yet to be located, with many feared trapped inside the damaged buildings.

More than 760 firefighters were sent to battle the blaze, which produced huge flames and dense smoke that darkened the skyline. The fire began at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate shortly before 3 p.m. local time and was later upgraded to the city’s highest emergency classification.

Officials have not yet determined what caused the fire, but early findings suggest it may have spread rapidly along bamboo scaffolding that had been installed for renovation work. Three individuals have been detained on suspicion of manslaughter as investigators examine the circumstances behind the incident.

Hospitals across the city are treating dozens of people, 45 of whom remain in serious condition. Among the dead is a 37-year-old firefighter who disappeared while battling the flames and was later found unconscious.

Rescue operations have been slowed by extreme heat and unstable debris inside the towers. Fire commanders said that temperatures in parts of the buildings were so high that crews struggled to enter upper floors.

The housing complex, built in 1983, consists of eight high-rise blocks containing nearly 2,000 units. Seven towers have been affected. Some residents told local reporters that the fire alarms did not activate and that elevator failures left older occupants struggling to evacuate. There were also accounts of loud explosions inside the blocks and difficulty getting water hoses to the upper levels.

Authorities evacuated nearby buildings and set up temporary shelters, though one had to be closed due to worsening conditions. Staff working at the shelters reported that people continued arriving late into the night to report missing loved ones, making it difficult to determine the exact number of those unaccounted for.

Large sections of the surrounding area remain closed, and public transport routes have been diverted. Officials say it could be some time before the fire is fully extinguished and the full scale of the destruction becomes clear.

China’s President Xi Jinping conveyed condolences and urged responders to minimise casualties. The disaster has renewed concerns about the widespread use of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong, a practice that government agencies have previously considered replacing with metal alternatives due to safety risks.

The last time Hong Kong faced a level-five fire was 17 years ago, when a blaze at Cornwall Court killed four people.