Firefighters continue this Thursday (27/11) in Hong Kong looking for hundreds of missing people after the worst fire in the last 30 years. The fire started on Wednesday afternoon in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, in Tai Po, a northern suburb of the city, and affected seven of the eight buildings in the complex, which houses more than 4,600 residents. So far, at least 65 people have died.
More than 24 hours after the flames started, four towers have already had the fire under control, but another three are still burning, although under partial control. The rescue operation, according to authorities, could last until night. Meanwhile, crowds gather nearby to help homeless residents and support firefighters in a spontaneous community effort. “Hong Kong people are full of love,” said Stone Ngai, 38, one of the organizers of an aid station.
Police arrested two directors and an engineering consultant from a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter. According to Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung, flammable materials left during renovations caused the flames to “spread quickly and get out of control.” The office of Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, cited by AP as responsible for the works, was searched and documents were seized. The company did not respond to contacts.
Authorities suspect that materials on the building facades did not meet fire resistance standards. Styrofoam was even found in the only tower not affected, installed near the elevator halls. The fire originated in an external bamboo scaffolding — common in Hong Kong, but already in the process of being replaced due to safety risks — and spread through the protective screens and with the help of the wind.
Residents reported that they did not hear alarms and had to knock on doors to alert neighbors. Lawrence Lee said he told his wife to leave, but she had to return to the apartment because of the smoke in the hallways. Another resident, Wong Sik-kam, was surprised by the severity of the fire: “I thought it was a common accident… Who knew it would get so serious?”
The Fire Department confirmed the death of one of its members, aged 37, in addition to 61 injuries — 15 in critical condition. The government had reported 279 missing in the morning, but has already contacted some. More than 900 people spent the night in temporary shelters, and two of the dead were Indonesians, according to their consulate. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the victims.
This is the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1996, when 41 people died in Kowloon. While fatal fires have been common in the past, especially in poor areas, stricter safety regulations in recent decades have drastically reduced such cases — until now.
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/11/27/tragedia-em-hong-kong-incendio-deixa-ao-menos-65-mortos-e-expoe-falhas-em-seguranca-de-edificios/
