Fury After Hong Kong’s Deadliest Fire in Decades

Published: 28 November 2025 Friday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Shock in Hong Kong is giving way to anger after a massive fire tore through Wang Fuk Court, a densely populated subsidised housing estate, killing at least 128 people and critically injuring dozens. Authorities say substandard mesh and plastic sheets on the buildings’ windows may have spread the blaze, which raged for more than a day. Firefighting operations have ended, though dozens of residents remain unaccounted for.

Questions are mounting over how the fire spread so rapidly and who is responsible, with many describing it as a “man-made disaster”. Three people in charge of renovating the blocks have been arrested for manslaughter, and a corruption inquiry has been launched. Residents have revealed that fire alarms did not sound during the fire; authorities later confirmed that alarms in all eight blocks were found to be malfunctioning. Kiko Ma, who owns an apartment at Wang Fuk Court, said the alarms had been turned off amid renovation works, as construction workers regularly used fire escapes. She added that the renovation firm used poor-quality, flammable materials and that workers often smoked near windows, leaving cigarette butts along ledges.

This fire is Hong Kong’s deadliest in at least 63 years, surpassing the 1962 Sham Shui Po inferno, which killed 44 people. Wang Fuk Court, built in the 1980s, consists of eight 31-storey buildings, seven of which went up in flames. The estate, home to approximately 4,600 people—nearly 40% of whom are over 65—was sold at subsidised prices, but daily management is handled by privately appointed firms.

Firefighters faced extreme challenges during rescue operations, including high temperatures, the risk of scaffolding collapse, and small, crowded interiors. Investigations are examining whether mesh netting, plastic, and canvas sheets used during renovations met fire safety standards, while experts believe bamboo scaffolding connecting the blocks may have fueled the blaze. Authorities announced plans earlier this year to phase out bamboo in favor of fire-resistant steel.

Residents had expressed unease about renovation plans last year, and concerns have resurfaced online amid accusations of a lack of transparency. Homeowners claim construction companies prioritized cost efficiency over safety, often using small favours to encourage elderly residents to support expensive renovations. Similar incidents, including a recent fire in Hong Kong’s Central district, have raised questions about systemic weaknesses in building safety. In response, authorities have ordered inspections of all housing estates undergoing major repairs to ensure the safety of scaffolding and building materials.

The tragedy at Wang Fuk Court has left communities in mourning and has reignited debates over accountability, building safety standards, and government oversight. As investigations continue, Hong Kong faces scrutiny over whether stricter regulations and enforcement could have prevented the disaster.