A massive fire broke out in an apartment complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and leaving nearly 300 people missing.
Firefighters are still struggling to reach residents potentially trapped on the upper floors of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in northern Tai Po district due to the intense heat and thick smoke from the fire, reported Reuters.
By Thursday morning, the authorities claimed, the fire in four blocks had been brought under control while the operation continued in three other blocks. The complex has 2,000 apartments in eight blocks.
A massive blaze engulfed several residential towers in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, leaving more than a dozen dead as emergency crews struggled to rescue unknown numbers of trapped residents amid intense heat and spreading flames https://t.co/HYxGqKfMyz pic.twitter.com/BVRjrooGqL
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 26, 2025
Three men—two directors and a consultant of a construction company—have been arrested in connection with the incident. The arrest came after investigators discovered the company's name on highly flammable polystyrene boards found blocking windows in some apartments.
"We have reason to believe that the company's responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties," Eileen Chung, a Hong Kong police superintendent, said.
Andy Yeung, Director of Fire Services, noted that these polystyrene boards are extremely inflammable, and the fire spread very rapidly.
"Their presence was unusual, so we have referred the incident to the police for further enquiries," he added.
Officials also suspect that other construction materials at the site such as protective nets, canvas sheets, and plastic coverings did not meet required safety standards.
#WATCH | China | A huge fire that broke out at a residential apartment complex in Hong Kong yesterday, which has claimed the lives of 44 people with 300 people still missing, continues to burn. According to the Police, the fire may have been spread by unsafe scaffolding and foam… pic.twitter.com/SeCC6O9QVM
— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2025
According to Hong Kong Police, a firefighter was among the 44 killed in the inferno. At least 45 others are undergoing treatment in critical condition, while some 279 people are still uncontactable. Over 900 have been shifted to eight shelters.
The fire is now believed to be Hong Kong's deadliest in nearly 30 years, surpassing even the infamous 1996 Garley Building blaze that killed 41 people.
