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November 2025 Wang Fuk Court fire: key facts

The November 2025 Wang Fuk Court fire began on exterior scaffolding at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Officials said the blaze spread from the scaffolds to building interiors and then across blocks, reaching a No. 5 alarm at 18:22 on November 26, according to available reports. Seven of the eight 32‑storey towers were affected in what many residents called the Hong Kong Tai Po fire. ^{[Evidence shows…]} the estate was under renovation and wrapped in mesh as the fire advanced. Reuters and AP also note the complex holds roughly 2,000 flats and more than 4,600 residents.

Visuals suggested: annotated map of the eight towers, exterior scaffold routes, and wind direction overlays.

Timeline: from scaffolding blaze to citywide response

At 14:51 HKT on November 26, fire services received the first report. The blaze reached No. 5 at 18:22, as crews deployed 11 jets, eight turntable ladders, and 26 search-and-rescue teams. Authorities mobilized more than 200 fire appliances, about 100 ambulances, and roughly 1,200 personnel in the early phase.

By the morning of November 27, leaders ordered compliance checks and special operations to verify whether protective nets and coverings met standards. The government also signaled inspections of all housing estates undergoing major repairs.

Visuals suggested: timeline bar from first report to No. 5 alarm; staffing and equipment counts.

Casualties and rescue operations

The toll rose rapidly: early counts recorded 44 deaths, then at least 65 with about 70 injured, and later 75 as searches continued. As the death toll rises in the Hong Kong fire, officials emphasized the scale of the search and the limits of access inside the buildings.

Rescue was constrained by extreme internal heat and equipment reach. Ladders and hoses could only reach about 53 meters, under 20 floors, which slowed access to upper levels. That constraint, combined with the heat, delayed interior progress.

Suspected materials and causes under investigation

Police and officials pointed to protective nets, membranes, tarpaulins, and plastic sheets suspected of failing fire‑safety standards. Investigators also found foam boards sealing windows on multiple floors, including near lift lobbies. The contradiction: building authorities say they maintain strict requirements for fire‑retardant nets and coverings, yet non‑compliant materials are suspected on site.

In parallel, officers made arrests connected to the contractor. Police detained three men, including two directors and a consultant, on suspicion of manslaughter, amid scrutiny of Prestige Construction & Engineering. These prestige construction arrests deepened focus on procurement, supervision, and on‑site practices.

Visuals suggested: side‑by‑side images of compliant vs non‑compliant mesh/tarps and foam board alternatives; procurement chain diagram.

Building design and fire‑safety gaps

The estate dates to the 1980s and appears to lack smoke detectors and sprinklers common in newer designs. It was built before Hong Kong’s mandatory refuge‑floor rules took effect. Consequently, the incident reopened debate over hong kong fire safety codes and their application to older public housing.

Government inspections and proposed rule changes

Authorities announced special operations to verify fire‑retardant materials and to demand compliance reports from relevant parties. They also launched inspections across estates under major repairs, while the Independent Commission Against Corruption and other units pursue lines of inquiry. In addition, officials are considering mandating the use of metal scaffolding in more projects.

Industry voices, meanwhile, urged legislation to mandate fire‑proof materials during construction and renovation. These proposals echo wider calls to tighten hong kong fire safety codes and to lift standards tied to bamboo scaffolding safety.

Wider context: bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong

Bamboo scaffolding and protective mesh are widely used across the city. Even before the blaze, authorities required that 50% of new public works contracts use metal scaffolding, while roughly 2,500 registered bamboo scaffolders remain active. In this context, the Hong Kong Tai Po fire has intensified debate over bamboo scaffolding safety and oversight.

What’s Next for the November 2025 Wang Fuk Court fire

Investigations will test materials, procurement, and supervision, with potential prosecutions or disciplinary actions if violations are confirmed. Further rules on fire‑retardant coverings and possible expansion of metal scaffolding mandates are under review. As the death toll rises in the Hong Kong fire, the prestige construction arrests and compliance operations are likely to shape the next round of policy and enforcement moves.