At least four people have died and an unknown number remain trapped after a massive fire tore through multiple high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Wednesday, authorities said.
The blaze erupted at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, a 31-storey development home to around 2,000 apartments. Thick black smoke and towering flames illuminated the skyline as firefighters worked into the evening to contain the fire.
Smoke rises as flames engulf bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Three residents are reported in critical condition with severe burns, while one is in serious condition. Several fire services personnel were also injured during the emergency response.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as bamboo scaffolding, covering parts of the buildings for renovation work, collapsed and sent debris tumbling to the ground. Residents gathered on nearby overhead walkways, watching in horror as the fire consumed the complex. One resident, 71-year-old Mr. Wong, said his wife was trapped inside, breaking down in tears.
A man reacts, as smoke rises while flames engulf bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
The Fire Services Department received the first report of the fire at 2:51 p.m. local time and escalated the situation to a No. 5 alarm—the highest level—by 6:22 p.m, as reported in Reuters.
Smoke rises while flames burn bamboo scaffolding on a building at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Wang Fuk Court is part of Hong Kong’s subsidized home ownership scheme and has been occupied since 1983. Tai Po is a suburban district near the border with mainland China, home to approximately 300,000 residents. Hong Kong remains one of the few cities where bamboo scaffolding is widely used in construction, though authorities have been phasing it out due to safety concerns, mandating metal scaffolding in 50% of public works.
The city’s Transport Department closed a section of the Tai Po Highway—the main thoroughfare through the district—diverting buses and other traffic as emergency crews continued their response.
Firefighters work as efforts are underway to extinguish flames engulfing bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
This tragedy follows a similar deadly fire last April in Kowloon, where five people died in a densely populated residential building. Authorities continue to investigate the cause and scale of Wednesday’s disaster.
Firefighters remain on site, working to rescue those still trapped and prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings.
