Hong Kong authorities have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter following a catastrophic fire that swept through a high-rise housing complex in Tai Po, marking one of the city’s deadliest blazes in a decade. Police confirmed the arrests on Thursday and said a full briefing would be held to outline the early findings of the investigation and the circumstances that led to the rapid spread of the flames. The incident has raised urgent questions about building safety, maintenance procedures, and the challenges faced by emergency teams responding to fires in densely populated estates.
The blaze erupted on Wednesday afternoon at Wang Fuk Court, a large residential complex consisting of eight towers and nearly 2,000 flats. According to authorities, the fire began on bamboo scaffolding that had been erected around several buildings for estate-wide maintenance. Fueled by dry materials and strong winds, the flames climbed quickly up the temporary structures and then spread across multiple towers, catching residents off guard and overwhelming initial firefighting efforts. City leader John Lee confirmed early Thursday that at least 36 people had died, including a firefighter who was part of the first response team. Another 279 residents remained unaccounted for as search operations continued across the affected blocks.
Hospitals across the city reported 29 people admitted due to the incident, with seven listed in critical condition. Emergency crews worked through the night to contain the fire, which was still burning in four of the eight buildings more than twelve hours after it first broke out. Lee said the situation was “gradually getting under control,” though thick smoke and intense heat continued to complicate rescue efforts. The full cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but the scale and pace of the fire have prompted growing concern over how the scaffolding may have contributed to the rapid spread.
Residents described scenes of confusion and panic as the flames engulfed parts of the complex. A 65-year-old man surnamed Yuen, who has lived in Wang Fuk Court for more than four decades, said many long-time residents are elderly and may have had difficulty evacuating quickly. He explained that windows were sealed as part of the ongoing maintenance work, leaving some occupants unaware of the danger until neighbours called to alert them. Thick smoke poured into the corridors as emergency teams battled the inferno from both inside the buildings and the surrounding streets.
Witnesses reported loud cracking noises coming from the burning bamboo scaffolding and saw massive columns of smoke rising high above Tai Po. Firefighters deployed aerial ladders and interior teams in an effort to reach stranded residents, while police cordoned off large sections of the neighbourhood. The government has mobilised additional support services to assist displaced residents and families still searching for missing loved ones.
As authorities work to determine the precise cause of the blaze and assess structural damage across the complex, the Tai Po fire has renewed public scrutiny of safety regulations in high-density housing estates and the risks associated with large-scale renovation works. Investigators are expected to closely examine the scaffolding setup, fireproofing measures, evacuation procedures, and the initial response timeline. The community, meanwhile, faces a difficult recovery as it awaits answers and continues the search for those still missing.
