44 Dead, 279 Missing in Massive Hong Kong Fire; 3 Arrested for Alleged Manslaughter

A huge fire swept through Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po on Wednesday afternoon, killing 44 people and leaving 279 still missing. The blaze moved fast—too fast, according to officials—as flames climbed the bamboo scaffolding wrapped around the buildings for ongoing renovations.

By the time firefighters got the upper hand on some of the blocks nearly 10 hours later, the damage was overwhelming. Seven of the eight residential towers were hit. Forty-five people are currently in serious condition in hospitals.

Why the Fire Spread So Quickly

Authorities called the fire’s speed “unusual.” Early checks revealed styrofoam material inside parts of the buildings, which may have intensified the flames. With the estate surrounded by bamboo scaffolding and covered in green mesh since July 2024, the fire had plenty of fuel to travel upward and across blocks.

Officials have launched a full investigation—including a criminal probe—to determine what went wrong. Three people have already been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

Government Response

Chief Executive John Lee described the blaze as a “massive catastrophe.” He visited hospitals and community halls where about 900 displaced residents are taking refuge.

Election activities for the upcoming December 7 polls have been halted, and Lee said he will assess whether the election needs to be postponed.

Timeline of the Blaze

The fire was first reported at 2:51pm local time. Within minutes, it escalated from a No. 1 alarm to No. 4, and by 6:22pm, it hit the highest alert level: No. 5.

Footage from the scene showed long sheets of burning green mesh falling from the towers while firefighters battled the blaze from the ground and above.

What Comes Next

With hundreds still missing, search teams are focusing on lower floors of the buildings where access is now safe. Authorities have promised “all-out efforts” to locate residents and uncover the cause behind one of Hong Kong’s deadliest fires in recent years.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here