Today, Hong Kong shook up a tragedy that shook the people and caught the world's attention. In Tai Po district, in the north of the region, a powerful fire broke out which covered several tall residential blocks in Wang Fuk Court complex. The dense heaps of smoke floated over the city, and the flames quickly spread through bamboo scaffolding surrounding buildings. This event not only caused fatalities, but also raised questions about building safety in a densely populated city.
The fire broke out around 14:51 local time (7:51 Polish time) on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. The fire initially appeared in one of the Wang Fuk Court complex skyscrapers, which consists of eight blocks with nearly 2,000 housing units, inhabited by approximately 4,000 people. It quickly spread to neighboring buildings, mostly thanks to bamboo scaffolds used for renovation work. These light and durable structures, popular in Hong Kong as a cheaper alternative to steel, have become a catalyst for flames, allowing them to climb the facades.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but experts indicate potential problems with the safety of building materials. The Hong Kong government has been campaigning for several months to phase out bamboo scaffolds, fearing precisely such incidents. Witnesses describe the chaos scene: "It was like hell on earth. The smoke was so dense that no sky could be seen," one of the inhabitants reported on social media.
Victims and rescue
The tragedy took at least four lives, including one firefighter who died trying to extinguish the fire. Three other people were injured, of which two are critical due to severe burns. Several people remained trapped in burning housing, and the police received numerous reports of the need for help. Firefighters, despite heroic efforts, struggled with difficult conditions – the fire reached the fourth and then the fifth alert stage on a five-step scale.
The victims included elderly people and families with children, which emphasizes the scale of drama in a densely populated settlement. One resident, 71-year-old Wong, desperately appealed for rescue for his wife trapped inside the building. The rescue action lasted many hours, involving several dozen fire trucks and ambulances. Authorities shut down the Tai Po Highway section, redirecting traffic and warning against obstructions.
Government and community response
The Hong Kong government quickly reacted by opening temporary shelters at Kwong Fuk Community Hall and the Tung Cheong Street recreational building. In the hospital Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole was created a help and consultation point for the victims. Tai Po District Office monitors the situation and is ready to open additional shelters if necessary.
The local community expressed frustration over the lack of helicopters to extinguish the fire, which could accelerate firefighting operations, as in the case of forest fires. Social media such as X (formerly Twitter), featured videos and photos from witnesses, including Paul Marriott's teacher, who documented dramatic scenes of burning buildings. One post shows how fire consumes scaffolding, and smoke sleeps the sky.
The situation is still developing and the number of victims may increase. Authorities have promised a full investigation into the causes of the fire.
Update
According to recent reports, the victim's balance rose to 36 people considered dead and 279 missing.
