Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Toll Rises to 128 as Arrests Made and Safety Failures Exposed

Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in nearly 80 years has now claimed 128 lives, as rescue teams recovered more bodies from the scorched towers of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The blaze, which ripped through eight 32-storey residential blocks wrapped in bamboo scaffolding, has triggered arrests, public anger and intense scrutiny of long-standing construction practices.

The inferno, which began on Wednesday, spread at a terrifying pace, making it the worst disaster Hong Kong has seen since a 1948 warehouse fire killed 176 people. As smoke-damaged stairwells and collapsed apartments are cleared, the true scale of the tragedy continues to unfold.

Three construction officials arrested

Police have detained three officials from Prestige Construction — two directors and an engineering consultant — on suspicion of manslaughter. The company had been renovating the estate for more than a year.

Investigators say flammable foam boards blocking windows and combustible materials installed on exterior walls allowed the fire to climb vertically within minutes.

“We have reason to believe the decision-makers showed gross negligence,” said Police Superintendent Eileen Chung, confirming that authorities seized documents, computers and phones from the firm’s office.

Search operation intensifies

Emergency crews continued to force their way into burnt apartments on Friday. At least 25 distress calls remain unresolved, leaving families fearing the worst.

Outside a temporary identification centre, relatives viewed photographs of charred interiors in a desperate attempt to recognise belongings or remains.
“I’m still looking for my father,” said Mirra Wong, fighting back tears. “But each hour that passes makes it harder to hope.”

The missing count has fluctuated wildly; early estimates suggested 279 residents were unaccounted for, but officials have not issued an updated tally.

Foreign domestic workers among victims

Dozens of residents were migrant domestic workers. A Philippine support group reported 19 Filipinos still missing, while Indonesia’s consulate confirmed two Indonesian workers among the dead.

Hong Kong hosts more than 368,000 domestic helpers, most of whom live inside the homes where they work — a factor that makes large residential fires especially devastating.

Spotlight on bamboo scaffolding

The catastrophe has reignited debate around the city’s extensive use of bamboo scaffolding — a lightweight, inexpensive and centuries-old construction technique still widely used on high-rise buildings.

Officials believe the flames originated on the scaffolding of one tower before spreading through internal shafts and jumping to six other buildings, aided by strong winds.

Experts note that bamboo is combustible and has been linked to multiple fatal accidents in recent years. While metal scaffolding is far safer, its higher cost and longer installation time have slowed adoption.

Evacuees sleep in malls

With their homes destroyed, hundreds of survivors opted to sleep inside a nearby shopping mall rather than move into government shelters, which many felt should be prioritised for vulnerable residents.

Families, elderly residents and schoolchildren slept on floor mattresses as volunteers distributed water, meals and hygiene supplies.

Government announces support fund

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced a HK$300 million (US$39 million) relief fund for affected families. Several major Chinese companies have pledged donations as Beijing urged authorities to treat the disaster with “utmost seriousness.”

Cause still under investigation

While the exact ignition source remains unclear, investigators say a lethal mix of flammable façade materials, plastic window coverings and bamboo scaffolding likely created “a perfect storm.”

“This tragedy is filled with painful lessons,” said Devansh Gulati of Greenberg Engineering. “Hong Kong must urgently reassess safety standards for high-rise renovations.”

The investigation is ongoing.