Deadliest fire in Hong Kong in decades kills 44, scaffolding and foam blamed for chaos
At least 44 people are dead and nearly 300 missing after a fire ripped through a Hong Kong skyscraper on Wednesday, in what became the city’s deadliest blaze since World War II. Authorities say dangerous scaffolding and flammable foam used during maintenance work may have helped the inferno spread.
The fire, which broke out at the 32-story Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po, raged through four buildings and was still burning more than 15 hours later. With thick smoke and intense heat hampering rescue efforts, firefighters worked through the night to reach people feared trapped on upper floors.
Police arrested three construction company officials – two directors and a consulting engineer – on suspicion of manslaughter. Investigators say the buildings were wrapped in plastic mesh and bamboo scaffolding that may not have met fire codes. Windows on at least one tower were also found sealed with foam insulation.
“We believe gross negligence on the part of the company contributed to this fire spreading out of control,” said Police Commissioner Eileen Chung.
This tragedy recalls the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017, where flammable cladding and regulatory failures left 72 dead. The Wang Fuk court fire has now surpassed Hong Kong’s previous deadliest fire, a 1996 Kowloon fire that killed 41 people.
A firefighter is among the dead and 45 people remain in critical condition. Authorities confirmed that 279 people were still missing. Around 900 residents have found refuge in temporary accommodation.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has promised a thorough investigation. “The priority is rescue, then recovery, then accountability,” he said.
Wang Fuk Court, which houses 2,000 apartments under the city’s subsidized property programme, has undergone HK$330 million in renovations. Traditional bamboo scaffolding, still widely used in Hong Kong, is being phased out for safety reasons, but not quickly enough, some critics say.
