Hong Kong's Deadliest Fire in Decades Claims 36 Lives, 279 Missing as Three Arrested for Manslaughter

Hong Kong's deadliest fire in years raged through the night, claiming at least 36 lives with 279 people reported missing as rescue operations continued into the morning at the blazing high-rise apartment complex.

Police reportedly arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the devastating fire that began Wednesday afternoon in Tai Po district, a suburban area in the New Territories. By Thursday morning, firefighters were still battling the flames and conducting rescue operations.

The fire spread rapidly across seven of the eight buildings in the housing complex, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate. At least 29 people remained hospitalized as bright flames and thick smoke poured from windows throughout the night.

Fire Services Director Andy Yeung stated that investigators would examine whether exterior wall materials met fire resistance standards, noting the unusual speed at which the fire spread. Officers discovered highly flammable foam sheets at the scene.

Officials reported that the fire originated on the external scaffolding of a 32-storey tower before spreading inside and to neighboring buildings, likely accelerated by windy conditions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences for the firefighter who died and extended sympathies to victims' families, according to state broadcaster CCTV. He urged efforts to minimize casualties and property damage.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced that the government would prioritize disaster response but suspend public campaigns for the December 7 Legislative Council elections. He indicated that decisions regarding possible election delays would come "a few days later."

The Fire Services Department reported that the fire at three of the buildings was "coming under control" shortly after midnight.

The affected housing complex comprised eight buildings containing nearly 2,000 apartments housing approximately 4,800 residents, including many elderly individuals. Built in the 1980s, the complex had been undergoing major renovations.

Fire chiefs explained that extreme temperatures at the scene hampered rescue operations. The blaze spread quickly along bamboo scaffolding and construction netting surrounding the buildings. Around 900 people were relocated to temporary shelters.

Hundreds of firefighters, police officers, and paramedics responded to the scene. Firefighters battled the intense flames using ladder trucks to direct water at the buildings.

The fire, which began in mid-afternoon, was classified as a level 5 alarm—the highest severity rating—as night fell. Authorities reported extremely challenging conditions for firefighting personnel.

Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of Fire Service operations, described the difficult conditions: "Debris and scaffolding of the affected buildings is falling down. The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high. It's difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations."

The fire department received "numerous" calls for assistance, with some residents reportedly still trapped Wednesday night. Approximately 200 fire trucks and more than 100 ambulances were deployed, according to local public broadcaster RTHK.

Among the fatalities was a 37-year-old firefighter, while another firefighter received treatment for heat exhaustion, according to Fire Services Director Yeung.

Tai Po district officials opened temporary shelters for residents displaced by the fire.

One resident, identified only by her surname Wu, told local TV station TVB: "I've given up thinking about my property. Watching it burn like that was really frustrating."

Tai Po is located in Hong Kong's New Territories, near the border with mainland China's Shenzhen city.

Bamboo scaffolding, common in Hong Kong construction and renovation projects, was present at the site. The government had announced earlier this year plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding in public projects due to safety concerns.

This incident marks Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades. The last comparable tragedy occurred in November 1996, when 41 people perished in a level 5 fire at a Kowloon commercial building that burned for approximately 20 hours.