Hong Kong's Deadliest Fire in Decades: 128 Deaths, Malfunctioning Alarms and Ongoing Investigation

The death toll from Hong Kong's most devastating fire in decades has climbed to 128, with dozens of individuals still unaccounted for. Authorities have revealed that fire alarm systems in the affected residential buildings were not functioning properly.

In Hong Kong, anxious families are visiting hospitals and victim identification centers hoping to locate their missing loved ones. Approximately 200 people remain listed as missing, while 89 victims have yet to be identified.

The inferno rapidly engulfed the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon. The flames spread through seven of the eight high-rise buildings, turning the densely populated residential area into a massive blaze.

After burning for more than 40 hours, the fire was "largely extinguished" by Friday morning, according to fire services. Officials confirmed they had completed searching all 1,800 apartments for potential survivors.

Investigators are working to determine the fire's origin, with particular focus on examining the bamboo scaffolding and protective netting that surrounded the complex as part of ongoing renovation work.

On Friday, Hong Kong government officials indicated that the fire likely originated in protective netting on the lower floors of one tower, with foam boards and bamboo scaffolding contributing significantly to its rapid spread.

Fire services chief Andy Yeung revealed that alarm systems across all eight buildings "were malfunctioning" and stated, "We will take enforcement actions against the contractors responsible."

Residents reported having to alert neighbors door-to-door about the dangerous situation as it unfolded.

At the severely damaged apartment blocks on Friday morning, workers were seen removing bodies in black bags, with an AFP reporter counting four removals within just a 15-minute period.

Vehicles were observed delivering bodies to a mortuary in nearby Sha Tin, with families arriving later in the day for the painful process of identification.

At a Sha Tin hospital, a tearful 38-year-old woman surnamed Wong was desperately searching for her sister-in-law and her sister-in-law's twin. "We still cannot find them. So we are going to different hospitals to ask if they have good news," she told AFP.

"We were already waiting at the Prince of Wales Hospital on the first day but there was no news. We also came here yesterday." The last known contact with the twins was on Wednesday afternoon, around when the fire was first reported.

A 77-year-old eyewitness surnamed Mui described the terrifying speed of the blaze to AFP: "One building went up in flames and it spread to two more blocks in less than 15 minutes. It was very quick. It was burning red, I shudder to think about it."

This catastrophic incident marks Hong Kong's deadliest fire since 1948, when an explosion followed by fire claimed at least 135 lives.

Although deadly fires once regularly plagued densely populated Hong Kong, particularly in less affluent neighborhoods, improved safety measures had made such disasters far less common in recent decades.

Security chief Chris Tang indicated that the investigation into the fire's causes could take three to four weeks to complete.

Hong Kong's anti-corruption agency announced on Thursday that it had initiated an investigation into renovation work at the complex. This followed police arrests of three individuals suspected of negligently leaving foam packaging at the fire site.

The Labour Department disclosed that it had conducted 16 inspections of maintenance work at Wang Fuk Court since July 2024, with the most recent occurring on November 20. Following that inspection, the department issued written warnings reminding the contractor to "implement appropriate fire prevention measures."

In response to the disaster, Hong Kong authorities have committed to immediately inspecting all housing estates undergoing major renovations and are considering transitioning construction sites to metal scaffolding instead of bamboo in the future.

The Hong Kong government has established a HK$300 million ($38.5 million) fund to assist victims of the fire.

City officials have opened nine shelters and are organizing temporary housing and emergency financial assistance for those who have lost their homes.

Campaign activities for Hong Kong's December 7 legislative elections have been temporarily suspended in light of the tragedy.

By Friday, a spontaneous community response to help firefighters and displaced residents had evolved into a well-coordinated relief effort.

Various supply stations for clothing, food, and household necessities had been established at a public square near the affected towers. Booths offering medical and psychological support were also available.

The community response was so overwhelming that organizers eventually announced on social media that no additional donations were needed.