Major Fire Ravages Hong Kong Residential Complex
A devastating fire has torn through Wang Fuk Court, a public housing estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in significant casualties and widespread damage. The blaze, which began on Wednesday afternoon, continued to rage through Thursday as firefighters battled the flames around the clock.
According to the latest figures released by the Fire Services Department (FSD), the tragedy has claimed 75 lives and left 76 people injured as of 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Among the emergency responders, eleven firefighters sustained injuries while one hero lost his life in the line of duty.
Rescue Operations and Emergency Response
Firefighters have been working tirelessly to contain the inferno and rescue trapped residents. In a notable success, rescue teams saved a man from the affected area at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday. Earlier reports confirmed that 55 people had been successfully extracted from the burning buildings during initial rescue efforts.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee addressed the media, outlining the government's immediate response measures. Each affected household will receive an emergency cash grant of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 1,286 US dollars) to help with immediate needs.
The government has established nine emergency shelters to accommodate displaced residents, with plans for longer-term housing solutions already underway. The administration will pool public and private resources to provide approximately 1,800 transitional housing units for those who lost their homes in the disaster.
Investigation and Safety Measures
Authorities have launched multiple investigations into the cause of the fire and the conditions that contributed to its rapid spread. Wang Fuk Court, an affordable housing complex completed in 1983, was undergoing major renovations at the time of the incident. All eight buildings were covered in green mesh and scaffolding when the fire broke out.
The fire originated from scaffolding outside one building and quickly spread to six other structures in the complex. Police have arrested three men responsible for the renovation project on suspicion of manslaughter. Initial investigations suggest that flammable materials covering the buildings may have contributed to the fire's rapid progression.
In response to the tragedy, Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption has initiated a probe into alleged corruption within the renovation project. Meanwhile, the government has ordered a city-wide safety inspection of all scaffolding and construction materials used in building renovation projects.
Community Support and Corporate Assistance
The disaster has triggered an overwhelming outpouring of support from across Hong Kong and beyond. Emergency shelters have received continuous donations of food, drinking water, and clothing, with some locations reporting such abundant contributions that they've had to stop accepting supplies.
Volunteers have been working around the clock to assist affected residents. "In the time of difficulties, Hong Kong people stood by each other," remarked a volunteer surnamed Chan, who has been helping at the Tung Cheong Street Sports Center since early Thursday morning.
The community response extended to animal rescue efforts, with volunteers bringing cages to areas near Wang Fuk Court to shelter pets rescued from the fire. A veterinarian stood ready to provide medical assistance, while social media users celebrated a firefighter who saved nine cats and a dog from one household.
Major corporations have stepped forward with substantial financial support. Several Hong Kong and mainland Chinese companies, including Henderson Land Group, HSBC, and Laopu Gold, have announced donations totaling up to 30 million Hong Kong dollars in cash and disaster-relief supplies. Many other companies and organizations have pledged additional support.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has allocated 300 million Hong Kong dollars to establish a dedicated fund to help Wang Fuk Court residents overcome their difficulties. The government has made bank accounts available for individuals wishing to contribute donations in any currency.
