At least 55 people have died and nearly 300 remain missing after a massive fire engulfed multiple residential towers at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district, police and officials said Thursday.

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An injured resident is carried into an ambulance after a major fire engulfed bamboo scaffolding across multiple blocks at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, killing at least 44 people and leaving almost 300 missing, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 27, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

The fire, which erupted Wednesday afternoon, has left firefighters struggling to reach residents trapped on the upper floors due to intense heat and thick smoke. The complex consists of eight high-rise blocks, home to more than 4,600 people in a city already facing severe housing shortages.

Video footage from the scene showed flames leaping from 32-storey towers wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green construction mesh. Authorities said the blaze was still active more than 24 hours after it began, though four of the eight blocks were under control.

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A firefighters works at the scene, after a started fire burning bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Police have blamed a construction firm for “gross negligence” in using unsafe materials, including flammable mesh and foam, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Three men—two directors and one engineering consultant from the company—have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

A firefighter was among the deceased, and dozens more are in hospital in critical condition. Approximately 900 residents have been evacuated to shelters, while the whereabouts of hundreds remain unknown. Indonesian authorities confirmed that two migrant workers died and two others were injured in the fire.

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First responders recover the body of a victim, as fire burns bamboo scaffolding across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

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A woman receives medical attention at a temporary shelter, after a fire started across multiple buildings at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

The blaze has drawn comparisons to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, which similarly involved flammable cladding and safety failings. Survivors and residents have criticized cost-cutting and lax safety oversight, with videos showing construction workers smoking on scaffolding during ongoing renovations.

As reported in Reuters, residents recounted the chaos and devastation. One long-time resident, 66-year-old Harry Cheung, described hearing a loud noise and seeing flames engulf a neighboring block, forcing him to quickly gather belongings. Others, like 52-year-old Ng, searched desperately for missing family members, carrying keepsakes of loved ones they feared were lost.

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A drone view shows flames and thick smoke rising from the Wang Fuk Court housing estate during a major fire, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 27, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Mainland China’s President Xi Jinping called for an “all-out effort” to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties, according to state media. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Transport Department closed multiple roads and diverted 39 bus routes, while nearby schools remained shut.

Wang Fuk Court, occupied since 1983 under Hong Kong’s subsidized home ownership scheme, has been undergoing year-long renovations costing HK$330 million ($42.4 million). Each apartment unit reportedly contributed HK$160,000–180,000. Authorities have launched a corruption investigation linked to the renovation project.

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A relative reacts before identifying a family member from photos at Kwong Fuk Community Hall following the Wang Fuk Court housing estate fire, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 27, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

The disaster marks Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948, when 176 people died in a warehouse blaze. Authorities continue to focus on extinguishing remaining flames and rescuing any trapped residents.