Hong Kong Inferno: Several Dead in Tai Po Housing Estate Blaze
Hong Kong Fire in a residential complex killed 36 people. (Image X.com)
Massive fire at Wang Fuk Court triggers alarm as hundreds of firefighters and police battle flames for hours.
By TRH News Desk
New Delhi, November 27, 2025 — Several residential high-rise buildings were engulfed in flames on Wednesday afternoon at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district, triggering one of the most dramatic urban fire emergencies the city has seen in decades. At least 13 fatalities have been confirmed so far, while the blaze continued to rage for hours.
According to Hong Kong authorities, the fire broke out around 2:51 p.m. at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, which consists of eight buildings and around 2,000 apartment units. By 6:22 p.m., the fire was upgraded to a No. 5 alarm, the highest emergency level.
Emergency services launched a massive rescue operation. At least 67 firefighters, 400 police personnel, 128 fire engines, and 57 ambulances were deployed to battle the inferno at the densely populated complex in Tai Po. By evening, seven out of the eight buildings in the estate were reported to be on fire.
State-run China Daily Asia reported that by 8:20 p.m., the death toll had risen to 13, citing an official press conference. Fire and rescue teams continued operations late into the night amid heavy smoke and intense heat.
Social media was flooded with dramatic visuals of flames leaping across multiple concrete towers. Commenting on the incident on X, user Kong Hon described it as “likely the deadliest fire in Hong Kong’s history” and alleged it appeared “99% likely to be man-made.” Another user, Peter Parker, said the fire looked “absolutely surreal,” raising serious questions about passive fire protection systems such as fire doors and fire-stopping mechanisms.
The Wall Street Journal said the housing complex was built in the 1980s, and confirmed that the fire was elevated to the highest alarm level as it spread rapidly across the estate.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. Rescue and evacuation efforts were still underway at the time of the latest update, with concerns that the death toll could rise as firefighters gained access to upper floors and smoke-filled apartments.
Officials have urged residents to avoid the area and allow emergency teams to carry out rescue and containment operations without obstruction.
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