KUALA LUMPUR – At least five people have died, including a firefighter, after a devastating fire broke out across multiple high-rise blocks at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday.
The blaze, which reportedly trapped several residents inside, also left several others injured.
The fire began around 2.51 pm today, spreading rapidly across bamboo scaffolding erected around at least three of the estate’s buildings. Firefighters were quickly dispatched to the scene, but the blaze escalated swiftly, prompting authorities to issue a four-alarm alert – the second-highest in Hong Kong.
As of 5 pm local time, government sources confirmed that four individuals had been confirmed dead, while one firefighter succumbed to injuries sustained during the rescue efforts.
“Two individuals are in critical condition, while one is stable,” said a representative from Hong Kong’s Information Services Department.
Among the fatalities was a 37-year-old firefighter, surnamed Ho, who was from the Sha Tin Fire Station. Ho had been at the scene since 3:01 pm, attempting to control the blaze when he lost contact with his team around 3:30 pm. His colleagues later found him outside Wang Cheong House, suffering from severe burns. Despite efforts to save him, Ho was pronounced dead at 4:45 pm at the Prince of Wales Hospital.
The blaze was particularly alarming for residents, especially the elderly, as it ravaged the housing complex, which had undergone large-scale maintenance in recent years.
According to the Hong Kong Free Press, one resident named Ng, recalled witnessing the horrifying moment the fire spread from one tower to another.
“I arrived at the scene around 3.30 pm, and my heart aches as I watched the buildings go up in flames,” he said, his eyes tearing up. “My family, including elderly members, managed to evacuate safely.”
The fire, which reportedly started in the scaffolding of the estate’s eight blocks, sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky, visible from surrounding areas. The Hong Kong Observatory had issued a Red Fire Danger warning earlier in the week, indicating a high risk of fire due to extreme conditions.
Emergency services have been working tirelessly to control the situation, with fire crews upgrading the alert to a No. 5 alarm at 6.22 pm. Local roads, including sections of Tai Po Road, have been closed, and nearby residents have been advised to stay indoors for their safety.
Several temporary shelters have been set up for displaced residents at local community halls, and a help desk has been opened at a nearby hospital to assist those affected. Local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the blaze, with reports suggesting that the scaffolding, installed two years ago for maintenance, may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
This tragic incident follows a similar fire last month in Central, which also involved bamboo scaffolding and resulted in several injuries. – November 26, 2025