Deadly Hong Kong Tower Fire Claims 55 Lives: Residents Share Harrowing Experiences of Bamboo Scaffolding Inferno

Nov 27, 2025 03:29 pm CST

One of Hong Kong's deadliest fires in decades has devastated a 2,000-unit high-rise complex in Tai Po, claiming at least 55 lives with hundreds still missing. The inferno, which began Wednesday afternoon and continued smoldering into Thursday, spread rapidly due to bamboo scaffolding on buildings undergoing maintenance. Residents share their traumatic experiences as authorities launch an investigation into the catastrophic blaze that has highlighted concerns about building safety in one of the world's most densely populated urban centers.