Hong Kong blaze kills 55, deadliest fire in City’s history

Thursday 27 November 2025 - 11:00

By: Sahili Aya

Hong Kong blaze kills 55, deadliest fire in City’s history

Hong Kong, November 27, 2025 – A devastating fire that swept through a residential complex in northern Hong Kong has killed at least 55 people, marking the deadliest fire in the history of the Chinese Special Administrative Region.

The fire broke out on Wednesday at around 14:50 local time and quickly spread to seven of the eight buildings in the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po. Fifty-one people, including a firefighter, died on-site, while four others succumbed to their injuries in hospitals. Sixty-eight people remain hospitalized, with sixteen in critical condition.

By Thursday at 06:00, firefighters had brought four of the seven 31-story buildings under control, but rescue operations continue, with around 280 residents still unaccounted for.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee described the incident as a “major disaster” and ordered inspections of all public housing undergoing renovations. He also announced the suspension of the December 7 election campaign to focus on managing the crisis.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences and urged authorities to make “maximum efforts” to limit further casualties.

Investigations revealed that the buildings were being renovated since July 2024. Authorities arrested three individuals—two company directors and a consultant—for involuntary manslaughter. Preliminary findings suggest that non-compliant materials were used, including highly flammable polystyrene foam blocking elevator shafts on each floor and scaffolding nets that failed to meet fire safety standards.

Police have also seized documents from the maintenance company, and the government has pledged thorough investigations, including criminal inquiries, to determine the exact causes of the tragedy.