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Hong Kong’s worst fire disaster in more than 60 years has left residents shattered as flames continue to engulf parts of the Wang Fuk Court housing estate. The massive blaze, which erupted during renovation works, has killed at least 55 people, with nearly 300 still missing as rescue teams work through destroyed structures.

Firefighters battled the inferno through Thursday afternoon as thick smoke continued to pour from the densely populated public housing complex in the city’s North District. Authorities believe the fire spread rapidly due to unsafe bamboo scaffolding and flammable foam materials used by a construction firm during ongoing maintenance work.

Bamboo scaffolding — a traditional building practice long associated with Hong Kong — has been under a phased ban since March because of safety concerns. Police now say the construction company’s use of restricted materials amounts to “gross negligence,” and three members of the firm, including two directors and an engineering consultant, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

Residents Devastated, Many Still Missing

Wang Fuk Court, built in the 1980s, houses around 4,600 residents across eight blocks containing 2,000 units. Nearly 40% of the population is aged 65 or older, according to the 2021 census, making the estate one of the most elderly-dense housing clusters in the city. Many residents have lived there for decades under subsidised housing programmes, deepening the sense of loss as their entire lives go up in flames.

Wan, a resident of more than 20 years, stood beside firefighters as her building continued to burn.
“All of our belongings were in this apartment… now everything is gone. What are we supposed to do?” she told Reuters, adding that her daughter Wendy lost three pet parrots in the fire. Wan appealed to authorities: “We only hope the government will help us. We have nothing left.”

Another resident, 33-year-old Kiko Ma, who frequently visits from Canada, described months of fire-safety concerns due to renovation practices. She said windows had remained sealed for over a year and she had repeatedly found cigarette butts near window ledges, allegedly discarded by workers.

“People kept asking what would happen if a fire broke out. Everyone was worried,” she told the BBC, adding that fire alarms were reportedly switched off at times during construction. “This was preventable. This was not an accident.”

A 52-year-old woman searching for missing family members clutched her daughter's graduation photo as she spoke to Reuters. “My daughter and her father are still not out yet… they didn’t have water to save our building.”

Chu, a 70-year-old resident, said she had been unable to reach friends from a neighbouring block. She returned Thursday morning to find the building still burning. “We don’t know what to do,” she said.

Hong Kong’s Deadliest Blaze in Decades

The current toll matches the 44 deaths in the 1962 Sham Shui Po blaze and surpasses the 1996 Garley Building fire. The most deadly fire in Hong Kong’s history occurred in 1948 following an explosion at a warehouse containing hazardous materials.

As the search continues, authorities warn that the death toll may rise further. Investigations into possible safety violations, emergency lapses and negligence are now underway, with public anger intensifying.