Hong Kong's deadliest fire in more than seven decades continued to burn through parts of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex on Thursday, as the death toll rose to at least 65 and emergency crews searched for residents still feared trapped inside the high-rise towers. The blaze, centered in the Tai Po district near the mainland border, prompted a criminal investigation and the arrest of three construction executives after authorities said unsafe materials likely accelerated the spread. Hong Kong leader John Lee said contact had been lost with 279 people early Thursday, underscoring the scale of the unfolding disaster.
Firefighters have been battling the blaze since midafternoon Wednesday, when flames erupted on bamboo scaffolding and green construction netting along a 32-story tower. The fire quickly jumped to six additional buildings in the eight-tower estate, aided by strong winds and the highly flammable materials attached to the façades. By Thursday afternoon, officials reported that fires in four towers were extinguished, while three remained under control but continued to emit heavy smoke.
Rescue teams described perilous conditions as they moved through the darkened towers. Wong Ka Wing, deputy director of the fire services, said crews were "battling high temperatures and carefully going up floor by floor, thoroughly searching and aiming to rescue people as quickly as possible." Orange flames were still visible in several windows overnight. One firefighter was among the dead, and authorities said 70 people were injured.
Residents described chaotic evacuations as smoke filled hallways and stairwells. Lawrence Lee said his wife became trapped after attempting to flee. "When the fire started, I told her on the phone to escape. But once she left the flat, the corridor and stairs were all filled with smoke and it was all dark, so she had no choice but to go back to the flat," he said. Another resident, Winter Chung, said, "I couldn't sleep the entire night," after witnessing sparks as she fled the tower.
Police launched a criminal probe and arrested three men - two directors and an engineering consultant from a construction company - on suspicion of manslaughter. Senior superintendent Eileen Chung said, "We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent." Police later searched the offices of Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, the contractor responsible for the renovation project.
Investigators said exterior materials may have violated fire-resistance standards, allowing flames to race up scaffolding and into apartments. Secretary for Security Chris Tang said Styrofoam boards, found attached to windows near elevator lobbies, would be examined further. Police described them as "highly flammable." Tang added that "once ignited, the intensity and speed of the fire's spread were far greater than that of materials meeting safety standards."
The housing complex, built in the 1980s and home to roughly 4,800 residents, had been undergoing a HK$330 million renovation. According to officials, about 900 people were moved into temporary shelters overnight. Hong Kong's anti-corruption agency said it would investigate whether misconduct occurred during the renovation project, while John Lee announced a HK$300 million fund to support displaced residents.
International concern mounted as foreign governments offered condolences. The U.S. consul general wrote, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Tai Po. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this devastating fire." Chinese President Xi Jinping urged "all-out efforts" to minimize casualties.
Fire officials also confirmed the death of 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who collapsed at the scene. "I am profoundly grieved at the loss of this dedicated and gallant fireman," Fire Services Department director Andy Yeung said.
The blaze is now the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948, surpassing the 41 deaths in Kowloon in 1996 and prompting new scrutiny of the city's reliance on bamboo scaffolding. Authorities said immediate inspections would begin across all major renovation sites to verify the safety of construction materials.
