Hong Kong high rise towers fire: 55 killed, nearly 300 missing as fire continues to burn

The death toll from the massive fire that swept through a Hong Kong residential estate has risen to 55, the city's fire department said on Thursday.

Officials told a news conference that 51 victims died at the scene and four later in hospital. Authorities said 72 people were injured.

Fires in four of the estate's eight residential blocks have been extinguished, while three others are under control. One block was not affected.

What do we know about the blaze?

Since Wednesday afternoon, teams of firefighters have been attempting to douse the flames at Wang Fuk Court, a housing complex made up of eight blocks in the city's Tai Po district in the north east. 

The fire was still burning in the early hours of Thursday, although authorities say it has been brought under control.

The fire department said it received reports on Wednesday at 2:51 p.m. (6:51 am GMT) of a fire in the residential complex. It was upgraded to a Number 4 alarm at 3:34 p.m. and as night fell it was declared a five-alarm fire, the highest level.

Firefighters deployed 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances to the scene.

Earlier, local media had reported that an unknown number of people were trapped in the 31-storey towers — housing around 2,000 residential apartments.

Taipo District Council member, Lo Hiu-fung, told local broadcaster TVB that most of the residents trapped in the fire were believed to be elderly people.

A number of the towers have bamboo scaffolding and construction netting fitted to their exterior.

TVB reported that the complex was undergoing major renovations.

3 arrested on suspicion of manslaughter

Hong Kong police have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire. 

The men worked for the construction company carrying out maintenance work on the housing estate.

Two of the men were company directors and the third was a consultant, police said.

"We have reason to believe that the company’s responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties," Eileen Chung, a Hong Kong police superintendent, said. 

Earlier, authorities had said that the probe into the fire would look into whether material on the exterior walls of the housing estate met fire resistance standards, pointing to the unusually rapid spread of the fire.

Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung said officers had found highly flammable foam sheets.

The fires started on the external scaffolding of one of the buildings, according to authorities, later spreading first inside the building and then to the other buildings. The windy conditions likely helped the fire to spread.

<

It is heartbreaking to see Hong Kong experiencing a major housing estate fire affecting more than 4,600 residents. It has become global news, and even after 13 hours, it is still not under control. Sadly, 36 people have lost their lives, including a firefighter.
Please keep them… pic.twitter.com/nY4SmkzJ67

— Ying Tan (@YingTanForNY) November 26, 2025 >

Hong Kong leader Lee, Chinese President Xi urge minimizing casualties

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said he was "deeply saddened" by the fire, adding that all government departments were assisting the affected residents.

"The priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue the residents who are trapped," Lee told reporters. "The second is to support the injured. The third is to support and recover. Then, we'll launch a thorough investigation." 

From mainland China, President Xi Jinping offered his condolences to the victims, including "the firefighter who died in the line of duty."

Xi urged an "all-out effort" to extinguish the fire and to minimize casualties and losses, China's state broadcaster CCTV said.

Devastated residents left homeless, anxiously await news of loved ones

Residents who survived the massive blaze might count themselves lucky to have survived, but they have lost their homes, and many are worried about loved ones still trapped in the burning estate.

A 71-year-old resident surnamed Wong broke down in tears, the Reuters news agency reported. His wife was trapped inside, he said.

Another, a 66-year-old Harry Cheung, has lived in one of the complexes for over 40 years. He said he heard a loud noise around 2:45 p.m. (6:45 a.m. GMT) then saw the fire as it started in a block nearby.

"I immediately went back to pack up my things," he told Reuters. "I don't even know how I feel right now. I'm just thinking about where I'm going to sleep tonight."

A 65-year-old surnamed Yuen told the AFP news agency that the neighborhood houses many elderly residents and wheelchair users. He added that due to the maintenance work on the estate, many residents kept their windows shut and had therefore missed the fire alarm.

"There is loss of property and loss of life, and even a firefighter has died," Yuen said, adding that he and his wife had been left homeless.

Campaigning halted for Legislative Council elections, Hong Kong leader says

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has said promotion activities and forums relating to the upcoming Legislative Council (LegCo) elections have been suspended, as the city struggles to battle the blaze.

"The government is dedicated to handling this major disaster. Our priority now is to handle the blaze," Hong Kong's public broadcaster RTHK quoted Lee as saying on Thursday morning.

The Hong Kong leader did not specify whether the election, slated for December 7, would be postponed, saying a decision will be made "in a few days after coordinating our work."

The last LegCo elections were in 2021, which were the first polls to be held after the central government amended the city's laws to ensure that only pro-Beijing "patriots" could run.

Authorities close roads, suspend classes due to fire

Hong Kong authorities announced that some roads and schools were closed on Thursday, as the city reels from the devastating fire.

The Transport Department listed a number of roads that were closed as a result of the fire, including parts of Tai Po Road and the roads leading the Tolo Highway to Tai Po Road in Yuen Chau Tsai, Hong Kong's public broadcaster RTHK reported.

Public transport services have also been disrupted, with dozens of bus routes diverted, the department said.

The Education Bureau also announced that classes have been suspended in a number of primary and secondary schools in the area. Other schools were also given the option to cancel classes.

Densely populated Hong Kong vulnerable to urban disasters

• Hong Kong is among the most densely populated places in the world
• Some 7.5 million people live in the city
• Hong Kong's population density is over 7,100 people per square kilometer of land, making it similar to cities like Tokyo
• Hong Kong is home to some 569 buildings that are 150 meters high or taller, making it the city with the most skyscrapers in the world, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat,
• Its growing population spurred a construction boom that saw high-rise apartment blocks spring up
• Many of these new residential complexes have been built in the New Territories, where Tai Po is located
• The green construction mesh and bamboo scaffolding covering the Wang Fuk Court buildings are a staple of traditional Chinese architecture
• The scaffolding have been subject to a phase-out in Hong Kong since March due to safety concerns

Taiwan, US, UK send condolences to Hong Kong after fire

Several countries have offered their condolences to Hong Kong after the deadly fire.

"At this moment, let us join together in prayers for Hong Kong. I extend my deepest condolences to all Hong Kong friends who lost their lives in this disaster and to their families," Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on X.

The UK sent its "heartfelt condolences" to the people of Hong Kong.

"The horrendous fire in Tai Po apartment blocks is truly devastating and deeply distressing," UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on X.

<

The horrendous fire in Tai Po apartment blocks is truly devastating and deeply distressing. The UK sends heartfelt condolences to all the families affected and to the people of Hong Kong.

— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) November 26, 2025 >

The US consulate in Hong Kong has also reacted, saying they are "deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Tai Po."

"Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this devastating fire," the consulate said.

<

Our heartfelt condolences to those affected by the Tai Po fire tragedy. pic.twitter.com/zOYrWmNHmJ

— US Con HK & Macau (@USAinHKMacau) November 27, 2025 >

Authorities to inspect all housing estates undergoing major repairs

Hong Kong authorities will launch immediate inspections of all housing estates undergoing major repairs, the city's Chief Executive John Lee said on Thursday.

"The government has immediately arranged for inspections of all housing estates across the city undergoing major repairs, to examine the safety of scaffolding and building materials," Lee wrote in a Facebook post.

Volunteers seek to rescue lost pets

As firefighters searched Hong Kong's burning Wang Fuk Court complex for survivors, animal welfare volunteers swept in to rescue the estate's pets left behind.

Dozens of workers arrived with oxygenated carriers and animal ambulances, negotiating with police to access the blazing building.

"Pet owners contacted our alliance and we compiled a list of more than 100 cases," said Anson Cheng, of the animal welfare group Hong Kong Guardians. "We shared the cases with firefighters so that they can help check the flats and pick up the pets if they see them."

By Thursday morning, at least 10 cats, seven dogs and several turtles had been saved, according to Cheng.

As some residents wait anxiously for news of their pets, Hong Kong's pet microchipping system may help reunite them with survivors, Cheng added.

Chinese companies promise millions in aid after Hong Kong fire

The devastating fire in a Hong Kong residential complex has prompted several major Chinese companies and charitable groups to pledge millions of Hong Kong dollars in emergency assistance.

The Jack Ma Foundation said it would provide HK$30 million ($3.86 million, €3.33 million) for emergency relief efforts.

Sportswear firm 361 Degrees announced a contribution of HK$15 million in cash and supplies, while Anta Group pledged HK$30 million in cash and equipment for disaster relief. Footwear company Fuguiniao Group also committed aid of HK$5 million.

The Red Cross Society of China said it would donate 2 million yuan ($280,000, €244,000) to support rescue operations on the ground.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong residents organized their own aid for displaced residents and firefighters as crowds gathered in nearby streets and public areas in support.

"It's truly touching. The spirit of Hong Kong people is that when one is in trouble, everyone lends support... It shows that Hong Kong people are full of love," Stone Ngai, the organizer of an impromptu aid station, told the AFP news agency.