Hong Kong's Deadliest Fire in Decades: 128 Lives Lost in Wang Fuk Court Residential Complex Tragedy

The devastating fire in Hong Kong, which claimed more than 120 lives, was finally extinguished on Friday after burning for over 40 hours. Investigators believe the cause was likely construction netting catching fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex.

This catastrophic incident has become Hong Kong's most lethal fire since 1948 and is recorded as the world's deadliest building fire in over four decades. The tragedy has deeply affected the densely populated financial hub.

The inferno began Wednesday at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district, where bamboo scaffolding had been erected for renovation work. Flames quickly spread to engulf seven of the eight residential towers, each standing 31 floors high with a total of 1,984 apartments.

Security Chief Chris Tang confirmed that the death toll has risen to 128, including one firefighter who perished while combating the blaze. Approximately 200 people remain unaccounted for, making this Hong Kong's worst fire disaster since 1948 when 135 lives were lost in an explosion and subsequent fire.

Search and rescue operations have now concluded. The Hong Kong government has established a HK$300 million ($38.5 million) fund to assist victims. Volunteers have organized stations providing clothing, food, household necessities, and medical and psychological support services.

Authorities have opened at least nine shelters and are arranging temporary accommodation for the thousands who lost their homes. Dozens of injured individuals remain hospitalized, with 11 in critical condition.

Investigators are examining what triggered the fire, focusing on the bamboo scaffolding and protective netting used in the renovation work. Hong Kong's anti-corruption agency has initiated an investigation into the project, resulting in eight arrests on Friday. Police had previously detained three men suspected of negligently abandoning foam packaging at the site.

Tang explained that the fire likely "started on the protective nets outside of the lower floors... and quickly spread upward due to the burning foam boards, affecting multiple floors" before extending to six additional buildings. Broken bamboo sticks falling during the fire helped spread the flames throughout the compound.

Verified footage shows flames rapidly intensifying within minutes, creating an overwhelming inferno. Initial tests indicated the protective nets met fire safety requirements, but Tang noted that "the foam boards surrounding the windows were highly flammable." Critics are now calling for mandatory use of fire-resistant materials at construction sites.

Fire services chief Andy Yeung revealed that alarm systems in all eight blocks "were malfunctioning," forcing residents to personally alert neighbors to the danger.

Hong Kong's extreme population density—over 7,100 people per square kilometer—makes urban disasters particularly dangerous. The city's 7.5 million residents live on islands characterized by steep terrain, with much residential development concentrated in high-rise towers.

Following this disaster, authorities announced they would inspect all housing estates currently undergoing major renovation work.