Twelve dead, including firefighter, in major high-rise blaze in Hong Kong

HONG KONG: Twelve people have died and at least 16 others are in critical condition after a major fire swept through multiple residential towers in the Wang Fuk Court estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on 26 November 2025.

According to local media reports, the dead include a firefighter and 11 residents, comprising eight women and three men.

Police said they received numerous emergency calls reporting people trapped in the block where the blaze began.

Officers said that a man and a woman were found unconscious and suffering from burns.

The blaze was first classified as a No 1 alarm fire but was escalated to No 4 at 3.34pm before reaching the top-tier No 5 at 6.22pm.

Hong Kong rates fires on a scale of one to five, with five indicating the highest level of severity.

Footage from the scene showed flames tearing through bamboo scaffolding on several levels of the building, with burning mesh falling to the ground.

Hong Kong Fire Services told local media that the number of residents still inside the towers remains unknown.

According to South China Morning Post, the fire engulfed 31-storey towers containing about 2,000 flats.

Witnesses reported thick black smoke billowing across the area as dusk fell.

A large number of fire engines and ambulances lined the roads surrounding the estate.

Crowds gathered on a nearby overhead walkway, watching as firefighters attempted to contain the blaze.

Local broadcaster reported that Wang Fuk Court was undergoing major renovation works.

The estate, occupied since 1983 under a subsidised home ownership scheme, includes eight blocks and more than 1,900 flats.

Bamboo scaffolding is still commonly used in Hong Kong, and recent incidents have raised concerns about its safety.

Fay Siu Sin-man, chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, noted that several bamboo-related fires this year have already resulted in at least five casualties.

She urged the government to launch a comprehensive investigation.

According to reports from the scene, the fire department received its first alert at 2.51pm.

Strong winds, flammable materials stored at the worksite, and untreated scaffolding contributed to the rapid spread, according to Chinese-language local reports.

One firefighter died after becoming trapped while entering the burning structure.

Multiple fire services staff suffered injuries during the rescue operation.

The government confirmed that two people are in critical condition with burns, while others are being treated for smoke inhalation and injuries.

Authorities say search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing.

The fire comes after another fatal blaze in April last year in Kowloon, which claimed five lives.

The series of incidents has renewed public concern about fire safety in densely populated residential buildings.

The Incorporated Owners of Wang Fuk Court previously attracted attention for approving a renovation project valued at HK$330 million.

The proposal drew criticism from several property owners unhappy with its scope and cost.

Officials have not confirmed whether the renovation works played any role in Wednesday’s incident.

Search teams are expected to continue operations through the night as authorities work to determine the full scale of the disaster.

Further updates are anticipated as more information becomes available.